Twilight Sparrow

New Blog

2010-10-15T00:42:00.000-04:00

Well...we are in San Pedro, California now and slowly trying to get used to life here. I decided before moving that I wanted to start a new blog and have a fresh start. This was my first blog and I have learned much and I know there is still much more to learn. Thank you to all of you who stopped by. You can check me out now at Kitschy Details where I hope to continue my crafting endeavors.

Love to all!

dre

What I've been into and the crafty going ons

2010-05-29T10:35:00.000-04:00

Ok...where to start? I feel rushed about this particular post because after the 31st we will no longer have internet service in our home = ( Looooooooooong story......so needless to say I want to get this post in because I don't know when the next one will come!

So, I will start with what has been plaguing my mind this past week....LOST! I am a huge geek about this show so I was really sad that we had finally reached the end last Sunday. We went to a fun party at a friend's house and her whole family was really into it. We had a blast! They even put Dharma stuff all over everything.

Since that night DH and I have been having lots of discussion and lots of reading on my favorite LOST blog DarkUFO. Check out Vozzek69's thoughts on the finale because they really are interesting. I will say that when I first watched the show I was not happy with the ending because I felt cheated out of some big questions not being answered. After reading Vozzek's thoughts I think we will rewatch the ending and see if it makes more sense and sits a little better with me. On another note, ABC store has released these awesome prints by Ty Mattson. I MUST own at least ONE of these!

I think I mentioned earlier that I bought a sewing machine finally and I've never sewn in my life. I have been having a lot of fun with it! I am so glad to finally start sewing. It has always been something I've wanted to do. So I bought two books that are full of super cute beginner projects.

I plan on making this reversible tote bag using these two fabrics

A dress using this reproduction feedsack print

And cuffs and who knows what else with these cuties!

I am ashamed to admit that moving next month has not slowed me down from buying vintage home decor. Thanks to a post from Elsie Flannigan's site, I am now into vintage paint by number paintings. I went shopping on Etsy and found these two salty pirates.

I immediately thought of the 2005 artwork that Disneyland used to celebrate their 50 year anniversary. I told DH that I HAD to buy these two scalawags as a present for the boys' new room.

I also could not resist these kitschy lamb. Isn't he so sweet???

I also have not had enough of Emily Martin's work so I am planning on buying this little girl. It reminds me of my favorite movie, Amelie!

Ok....so now onto what I've been doing in my craft room on actually on the floor which for some reason is my new favorite place to scrap....go figure!

I especially love the last one because I just ADORE that dress!

Well, hopefully I will be able to blog again before we leave Virginia. I cannot believe it is about time to pack up everything and make our way to the West Coast to sunny Los Angeles! We still don't even know exactly where we are going to live! Don't you love the military! I did just buy an iPhone which will be in my hands sometime next week and so maybe then I can do some blogging.

Have a great Memorial Day weekend....we will be camping and going to Water Country, USA!

xoxo

Just a tad behind....but at least my butt looks great!

2010-05-26T16:08:00.001-04:00

Ok yeah....I really need to get better about blogging especially since our internet service is going to be cut at the end of the month (Fort Belvoir Starbucks with the laptop and an impatient 2.5 year old, here I come!) and moving at the end of June. I have been crafting and even broke out with the new sewing machine (LOVE IT!) but need to get the pics up ASAP!

I thought I would go back as promised and at least show some pictures from my amazing Mother's Day weekend. Like I said before (sorry if this sounds soo familiar...see following post) we went camping in a cabin near Gettysburg, PA and we did a lot of antique shopping. I tried to get the cutest vintage stuff I could but I had no luck in the clothes department. Turns out that antique malls don't do vintage clothing so much = (

Me in front of our cabin, sporting that new haircut I didn't know how I ever lived without!

I did manage to find this sweet hat that turned out to NOT be vintage but it definitely is vintage inspired!

I picked where we ate lunch so I wanted to give the local businesses our support. We ate at this super cute old fashioned ice cream shoppe.

They had the best greasy food and their ice cream flavors were awesome!

My Achilles' heel are chocolate shakes but if you look closely in this picture you might see someone else trying to reach for it as well:

Me and S! I love him soo much.

On our last day we went to Oxford, PA and did more antiquing and then we discovered this which made the boys soooo happy!

Before we left we stopped at The Sub Stop and ate THE BEST sub sandwiches EVER! Never had anything as good as that! We had a little picnic outside so the boys could get as loud and messy as they wanted = )

Well, I hope to have some more pics of stuff I've been doing lately. I have to admit it hasn't been much with the move coming. Just glad to at least get this out on the blogosphere!

Happy Hump Day!

xoxo

dre

Playing catch up!

2010-05-11T18:05:00.002-04:00

I sure have been busy these last few weeks and I have missed blogging! I had planned to do it last week to show some of what I did at the National Scrapbooking Day crop I went to but then life of course happened and I didn't get around to it. I also promised I would show off my new 'do and so without further ado' (hehe) here it is:

I really feel like myself since I got it chopped. Even DH thinks I am a new woman! If you have always wanted to take the plunge with a really short haircut then I would definitely research haircuts with your face shape online, print out some pictures, and take them to a trusted hair tech. I love mine! I think I hugged her when I saw how it looked in the mirror...she was a little scared after that =)

I loved National Scrapbooking Day this year. I wrote down the laundry list of challenges that Studio Calico was listing and I only managed to do two of them = ( Of course that's because I was busy doing lots of shopping at Scrapdoodles and I had the pleasure of meeting Frisk-a-teer, Wendy Jo (who is a RIOT!) and I won a new Friskar cutter. I hugged her too when I won it! Check it out on the Friskar blog here.

Here are the projects I did:

This is my take on Davinie's card challenge

This layout was inspired by a layout featured in May's Scrapbooking Trends mag.

I did a two page layout that was from Stephanie Howell's challenge but I didn't have good lighting this afternoon so I will post it later!

I had a blast this Mother's Day weekend. First on Friday evening we went to the Bible Study/Ballroom Dancing class we have been attending for about 6 weeks now. We learned to do the Foxtrot! Let me tell you that it is not as easy as it looks! Then we left on Saturday afternoon for Gettysburg, PA and went camping in a one room cabin. We spent the night eating steaks cooked by DH on the grill and sat by the campfire.

I bought some cupcakes from the commissary and they were a big hit with my two boys!

The next morning my allergies, which had flared up before we left, were doing better thanks to the Neti Pot so I felt great on Mother's Day. We did some shopping and ended up seeing Iron Man 2, which according to a dear friend's daughter, is what all the cool mom's were seeing for Mother's Day. I think she was working her mom over to see it too...what do you think??

My gorgeous boys and I in front of our cabin on Mother's Day!

I also did TONS of antique shopping while camping. Did you know that New Oxford is the antique capital for central Pennsylvania? How fortunate that I was like 15 minutes away! I will devote an entire post this week with the wonderful things I bought. I want to go back before we move to pick up a few more treasures. Thank the Lord that my husband loves old stuff almost as much as I do!

Here is my Thank You card to my husband that I made in the cabin!

Speaking of which, today, I am SO happy to be celebrating 8 years with my wonderful husband. I love him more and more every day and he is such a blessing to me from the Lord. Thank you, God, for loving me so much that you sent a man that could be my perfect match!

Have a fantastic day y'all!

xoxo

A Quick Hump Day Update

2010-04-21T13:05:00.001-04:00

I really had a great weekend. I got a super short hair cut that I just LOVE...pics will come soon. Got to hang out with some girlfriends and scrap. We had some really good Thai tea with what I thought were blueberries but were actually black tapioca pearls. Yummy! Here are the layouts I completed:

However this week has not been good so far. I came down with the stomach flu on Monday night and hardly slept. Note: Do not watch "The Fly" if it is on late night cable when you are fighting the urge to vomit! Yesterday was a total wash. I spent 80% of the entire day on the couch or in the bathroom. On a good note my jeans are feeling loose today! Now my youngest appears to have caught the bug and after talking to DH this morning it sounds like he's got it too! All before I go away tomorrow for the Fort Belvoir PWOC Spring Retreat. I think everyone got sick right before I left last year too. Yeeeesh!

To help celebrate feeling better I went online today and bought these beauties on Etsy. I think my new thing for vintage circus items was in the back of my head! What do you think?

Trapeze Lovelies from mammaslittlebabies

50's Summer Circus Dress by eyelovethat

I also was planning ahead for next Christmas and went to Bake It Pretty and bought this whimsical Christmas Vintage Village cupcake decoration set. They have lots of themed decoration kits for cupcakes so check them out!

I cannot wait to get these goodies in the mail. Also next week is the reveal for the May Studio Calico kits so that's even more goodness coming soon! I love getting mail like that.

Hope all of you are healthy and Happy Hump Day!

xoxo

A Happy Wednesday

2010-04-14T17:06:00.000-04:00

Last week I think I was too ambitious to think I would be able to blog a week about Savannah. It was just another crazy week! DH's job has been keeping him busier than usual even though we are leaving soon for California. I am still busy with all of my commitments and of course being mom! I will post again about my trip to Savannah and my favorite part of all....the shopping!

Scrapdoodles hosted a class with Claudine Hellmuth last Saturday and let me just say.....she rocks! Her paints and products rock! I learned so many new techniques and I am so excited to start incorporating them into my crafting! Thank you Scrapdoodles for having her!

I am so glad that I signed up for the Sketchbook class by Kelly Purkey because it gave me so much needed inspiration for my scrapping. Here is a layout I did using Nicole Samuel's take of Day 2 sketch:

I love how the banners weave around the photo. I would never have thought of doing that! I also had fun added cellophane to the back of those super cute K& Company photo frames and using it for my title block. I can't wait to go back upstairs and do more!

As I mentioned in my last post I got a really boost from poking my nose in the ShopSCAD store and I saw an idea that I wanted to incorporate for home decor in my own house. Here's what I made:

This just makes me smile so much. I want to do more of these in different styles and give them to friends before we move. I intentionally put three eggs in my bird's nest because we are playing around with when to try for our third chick-a-dee. I hope soon because the baby is almost out of diapers. Don't want to get too spoiled do I????

I also saw on SC's blog the challenge for the home decor. So while I was at the thrift store I saw this super ugly Christmas corkboard that was just screaming, "Make me over please!" It was only a dollar so I grabbed it and went to work on it.

I am so happy with the colors. I think that blue is personally my favorite. I also got a chance to dip into my stash and use those Sassafrass flowers from last year. I loved that line and I swore I would use those flowers right away but never did! I also got to use the Prima centers from this month's kit the big flower. I hung it in my 2nd floor hallway and it makes me smile when I pass it. I don't usually like the stuff I make but this time I am satisfied! DH liked it too!

Well, that's all for now!

Happy Humpday!

xoxo

Welcome to Savannah Part One....SCAD

2010-04-06T17:54:00.001-04:00

If you have ever visited Savannah then you know that besides the Southern Gothic feel of the place, like 'Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil', there is a highly artistic side to the city thanks to Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD). The university was founded in 1978 and has become one of the top 25 schools to attend for the arts.

The entire university is sprinkled throughout the historic district of Savannah and they have done an excellent job of preserving the charm of Savannah while making it a functional, creative place for the students. While you walk through the many squares you can find students painting or drawing. There is a lot of emerging talent!

There is also a store called ShopSCAD where current students and alumni can sell their wares. I wish I had pictures inside the store because it is AMAZING but they don't allow photography = ( But at least here is the front! Good news is that you can shop online here. One of the first artists I discovered in that store was Tiffani Taylor. She does pottery, paintings, and also stationary. Here are some examples of her work:

Some of the most amazing jewelry artists can be found at ShopSCAD. Two of my favorites are Megan Clark and Halligan Norris.

Here is some of Megan

Here is some of Halligan:

Definitely check out the store. This is just a sampling of the many talented artists featured at the store.

Well, I hope that this has whetted your appetite for more Savannah. I am so glad that such an amazing school like SCAD is in that wonderful city. If you ever visit there you will be inspired by the young artists there!

xoxo

Back from Savannah with new inspiration and oh yeah.....Happy Easter!

2010-04-05T16:44:00.000-04:00

It still is considered Easter Monday so I can still wish all of you a Happy Easter. This year we did not do anything traditional at all except go to church in our Sunday finest. We just got back Saturday evening from a short trip down to Savannah, GA and didn't have time to boil eggs, put baskets together, etc. The boys each got an Easter gift while we were on our trip but they still felt gipped! It was a good lesson to remind them the real reason why we celebrate Easter. We had the best time in Savannah and it was exactly what I needed to get inspired again with my own crafting. Do you have a place that just inspires you when you visit it? For me it is definitely Savannah!

So here are our Easter pictures this year

My little stinker waited until the camera was about to take the picture to lift up his shirt to show his cute belly. He is SUCH a little mischievous elf! I don't think I was that way growing up. Guess I'll just blame T for all of it! I tell ya what though, I feel so lucky to be surrounded by such handsome men!

These two are the most awesome boys ever. They are so good and they are so much fun to be around. Don't be fooled though, they can make you want to pull your hair out.....but they have such sweet, gentle, fun hearts that I hope they retain all of their lives. Thank you, LORD, for these two boys!

This dress I wore was my birthday present this year. I got it from Prance and Swagger. I just love the fit of it and it was so much fun to wear a crinoline for the first time since my wedding under a dress. I hope to wear this dress again...and soon! Definitely a new fave!

All this week I will be recapping my trip to Savannah and hopefully you will be inspired this week as much as I was!

Happy Monday all!

xoxo

A Sunny Day.....

2010-03-27T14:10:00.000-04:00

yet it is a little chilly compared to the warmer weather we had earlier this week. Oh well, at least it is spring! Today also was the reveal day for subscribers to the Studio Calico April kit Joyland. Tonight at midnight everyone else can get in on the add-on kit action. I only bought one this time. I really had planned to buy Skycoaster and Whacky Shack but since we are going away this week I thought it would be wise to limit myself. I also bought some mist and ink too. Can't wait until the goodies come in from UPS!!!!

I've been going going going this week. It's a lot to take care of a house and two busy boys all day but I have managed to do two layouts this week and when the kids go to bed tonight hopefully I can do more.

The first layout was using this month's kit from SC, Quilting Bee. I really tried to be thoughtful about my embellishments and tried some different things. The one above I used last month's SC kit, Baker's Dozen. This layout is a stretch for me because I usually over do things and this one was sooooo simplistic. So much in fact that my oldest said, "Mom, you're done with it? Are you sure??" That kind of told me something!

I have been extremely critical of my layouts lately and I am so glad that I signed up for Kelly Purkey's online class that starts next week. I really hope to gain more understanding of what makes a layout great and what can make it....well stink! The great thing with this class is that you can go your own pace which is perfect for me! Check it out...I definitely think it is worth the $25!

Have a great Saturday everyone!

xoxo

What I've been up to

2010-03-23T14:11:00.000-04:00

This month seems to have flown by! I feel like I have whiplash! Where do I begin? Well, first everyone in the house got the stomach flu at some point....that was fun. Ted has been gone half the time on two separate week long trips. It seems that there is something constantly going on with PWOC and of course teaching the bible study. We are planning our move to L.A. and also trying to soak up as much time here as possible. It really has been exhausting. I hope not everyone has had this kind of month!

I haven't gone much into the craft room and I also feel sort of like I am in a slump right now. It's nothing that a few nights of solid good sleep can't cure but I have been visiting blogs of some of my favorite paper crafters for some much needed inspiration too. I did manage to do a layout last night of my husband doing the dishes. We have a deal in our house that the cook doesn't wash the dishes. Well, I mostly cook but I would be lying if I said that I wash the dishes whenever he cooks. I know I'm not being fair! But just look at his face...he looks so happy to do them!

I also made a banner for my friend who requested a spring banner that didn't look to 'Eastery.' I hope she likes it!

I loved the Maya Road canvas banner album so much I bought one for myself. I also got a chance to use Donna Downey's large foam stamp on the 'N' pennant. I really want to get some time to myself to play with it even more. I would like to get more of her stamps but want to see how much I use this one. Gotta be thrifty right now with a trip to Savannah for spring break and the big West Coast move looming in the horizon! However, I think I will be purchasing at least ONE of the add on kits from Studio Calico's April Kit that goes live this weekend. Check out the sneaks here. A lot of the DT girls are promising you will not want to miss out on any of the add on kits. There goes my penny pinching!

Have a great Tuesday!

xx00

Been awhile....

2010-03-15T12:29:00.001-04:00

It seems like it was eons ago that I last posted anything! I have been so busy with other commitments and we as a family are ramping up the action as get ready to move this summer.

This weekend I forced myself to go into the craft room with my new Studio Calico kit and do something. I'm glad I did because as it turns out a dear friend of mine lost her husband to lung cancer on Saturday evening. While we are all mourning this loss for her and her three children we know that he is with the Lord and breathing much easier again. I imagine this week I will not be posting as much since we intend to help her family any way we can to prepare for the services. It is great to see the Body of Christ come together to help each other and there are so many who have already been helping but any thoughts and prayers are appreciated for this sweet family!

Here are the two layouts I did over the weekend:

I love this picture of Benjamin. He is learning to love coloring just like his older brother. I was inspired by the frames in article in the latest CK magazine so I thought I would try to do it myself by drawing them. I am not an avid drawer but they are tooo bad!

Sammy was hamming it up for me on my birthday. We put on some Glenn Miller and he went upstairs and then came down looking like Gene Kelly in 'Singing in the Rain' or James Cagney. I was amazed at how he just thought up this costume in his head and came down dancing and doing this routine. He really was impressive. I do think he could be a great performer if he wants to. We shall have to see!!!

I hope all of you have a Happy Monday and give your loved ones an extra hug. Life is so precious and sometimes we take each other for granted. Thank the Lord for all the Blessings He bestows on us!

xoxo

ATCs and a Layout

2010-02-23T13:07:00.000-05:00

I didn't get a chance to blog much over the weekend because I was busy at the Fredericksburg Big Flea Market on Saturday and got sick over Sunday sooo......

Here are some ATCs that I did for Scrapdoodles first ATC club meeting on March 7th.

I have never done ATCs before so it was fun to come up with some these guys and I got to use my vintage typewriter to boot!

Scrapdoodles is having it's first blog challenge and the challenge was to use product featuring home items since they are all the rage right now. Here is my take on the challenge:

My husband love the play on words with the o'clock when I meant "oh clock!" He is easily amused I guess! Suits me!!!! =)

I might do a separate post on the things I bought at the flea markets and thrift stores. I have been finding a lot of treasures lately. I think I might be hooked on thrifting now more than ever!

Happy Tuesday!

xoxo

You Look Like a Monkey...and You Smell Like One Too!

2010-02-16T16:11:00.000-05:00

Well today is my birthday and so far it has been a really good day. Nothing exceptional going on. Just hanging out with my husband and two boys. We had sushi for lunch and now I am about to go make some cupcakes. I hope they turn out as lovely as this one. Don't you want to have this print from Lola's Room? Check out her other prints....they are fantastic.

I finally did get my vintage Smith Corona Corsair typewriter and they tried to deliver it today but of course we were out. Oh well, I guess I'll get it tomorrow. I am also waiting for this number to be shipped to me:

I found it on Prance and Swagger. The name of the dress listing was called 'Holding Hands in a Museum.' I adore that title! I also got three movies for my birthday:

Well better get going on those cupcakes! My boys are super excited about them!

Oh and I want to say Happy Birthday to my Poppy who is also celebrating his birthday as well! Love you lots!!!

xoxo

A Quickie

2010-02-15T12:37:00.000-05:00

DH and I had a lot of fun last night going out to dinner with another couple that we are good friends with. It was nice to get out and enjoy the holiday. Didn't take any pictures though =(

Here is another layout I did using the Baker's Dozen kit.

This layout makes me smile because it is all about a "serious" conversation my son wanted to have with his Daddy. I also am having fun doing the hand stitching too! I know this trend is sorta out of style but I don't have a sewing machine yet so I have to make do with what I have. I think DH said I can get one in April....hopefully we get SOMETHING back from our taxes!

Well it's expected to snow here again...I feel like I am saying that every other day now. Of course they canceled school too. My son has not been to school in over a week and it's starting to drive me crazy!!!!

Sigh...Happy Monday!

xoxo

Happy Valentine's Day!

2010-02-14T10:02:00.000-05:00

Happy Valentine's Day to all of you! I hope you all have a day full of sweetness! I know I will with my Valentines!

xoxo

My Second Cupcake from Baker's Dozen

2010-02-13T10:36:00.000-05:00

Hey! It's Saturday and the sun is not out but who cares! I am going down to Scrapdoodles today with some friends to catch up with them, scrap, and to just get out of the house!!! Yeah!!!!!! Just wanted to pop in and show you a layout I did last night while watching the Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony. I personally thought it was great!

I love the pictures I took that day with my boys. I got some great shots. You will definitely be seeing them in future layouts!

Have a great Saturday!

xoxo

My First from Baker's Dozen

2010-02-12T17:46:00.001-05:00

I am so proud of myself. I managed to get a layout done today from the Baker's Dozen Studio Calico kit. I wasn't sure I would like this kit because it is a little more girly than most of the other ones and all I have are boys. But ironically they were the subject of my first "pastry."

I just took the picture and it is of course cloudy and over cast now so the lighting was terrible. I bought that Martha Stewart Double Loop Punch Combo and I love it! Her punches are getting better and better.

The journaling says, "I used to think all I wold want is girls! Never did I imagine being the mom of two boys. Now, I cannot believe I never wanted them. Boys are so much fun! There are just some things you can't do with girls that you can do with......"

For the record we really do still want a girl and are contemplating when to try for that girl here in the future. I think we will start trying after we move to California. No way would I want to be pregnant during a move!

Well....hopefully after watching the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympics tonight I can go into the craft room and get some more done!

xoxo

Fun Project to do with Your Kids!

2010-02-12T12:04:00.002-05:00

We are HUGE fans of sushi at our house. I have never dared to make it myself but we love going to our favorite place, Todai's, for some great sushi. Our oldest son has taken a liking to it as well. He even prefers to eat sashimi over sushi or rolls. The youngest could care less about it but is always willing to try it when he sees us eating it. I got the idea last weekend to find out how to make felt sushi rolls for the boys to play with and I found this site. I am not a sewer at all...don't even know how to work a sewing machine (but hope to soon!). I assure you if you are not savvy with sewing that this is a very simple project.

Check out my sushi plate

I am actually starting to get hungry just looking at it. Yuuuuummmmmy!

Well that's all for right now. Hope to get to some crafting later with my new Studio Calico kit that came in yesterday. God Bless the UPS man for coming with all the snow still on the ground!!!!

TGIF!

xoxo

Hopefully we've seen the last of the snow!

2010-02-11T10:22:00.000-05:00

Good news....we did not end up losing power through the storm that hit yesterday. The snow fall for us was about 8 inches but lots and lots of wind whipping the stuff up. DH had "fun" digging out both vehicles again and we stayed inside all day watching movies and for me doing some crafting. I was so inspired by Stephanie W.'s mini tag album from yesterday's S.C. blog post that I had to make one for my valentine! I loved some of the techniques she used so some of the pages look a little similar. Here is my book:

Thanks again Stephanie for that fabulous idea!!!! I have a hard time keeping any thing a secret so DH has already seen it and loves it. Now my oldest wants me to make one for him too so I might be doing this all over again today!

It is sunny here today so we plan on going out on a little adventure. Since the weather has put a damper on getting packages delivered I also have not yet received my precious Feb kit from Studio Calico. We have located the UPS Customer Service Center and are going to see if we can just pick it up. I hope we have good luck with that!!!

I thought I would end the post with my two year old's famous look that he gives us. Usually this look is when he is upset about something but sometimes he gives us this look when he thinks we are doing something strange...as was the case here. He is sitting in his time out chair and watching Mommy and Daddy dance to a song playing on the computer. He was upset for being in time out and then doubly perplexed by Mommy and Daddy dancing strangely.

This look just says it all.

Happy Thursday!

xoxo

Some much needed inspiration to survive the snow

2010-02-10T09:58:00.000-05:00

I've been lurking around sites for some much needed inspiration...cause we are stuck inside while D.C. is experiencing another heavy snow fall! I'll spare the details because it seems to be all anyone talks about these days but let's just say that this has been unusual weather for these parts!

So here is some inspiration that I have found on this snowy morning:

1) Decor8's blog had an entry about the growing trend of the vintage circus and I couldn't be happier to see it!

Here are some examples:

Excellent source for images of the circus!

Don't you wish you could serve some pink lemonade on one of these??

I seriously would wear this jacket from ModCloth and channel my inner Gwen Stefani!

I want to go up on one of these babies in Napa Valley for an anniversary..someday! Meanwhile I can just snag this from mamaslittlebabies.

2) I saw on Studio Calico's blog a super cute Valentine Tag mini album tutorial that will help me pass the time today while it's nasty outside. Take a look at this little cutey!

Hope this has inspired you today! I can't wait to go up stairs with my coffee and get started!

I should also add that this is my 100th post! Wow! Feels like I have been doing this forever! I wish I could do some give away or something. Maybe I will in the future but right now we are so preoccupied with the snow that everything else has been neglected. For those of you who are in warmer climates right now I am truly envious! Hopefully this time next year I will be soaking up more rays than snow in L.A.!!!!

Happy Hump Day!

xoxo

Scrapdoodles class... Saturday, February 27th

2010-02-07T12:36:00.000-05:00

Scrapdoodles has come up with a class series called "Find Your Style." Since the scrapbook industry takes its cues from the fashion world we thought it would be fun to introduce a class that teaches a scrapbooking style that matches that of a fashion style. Fun, right??

I will be teaching the first class on Saturday, February 27th. The style will be Modern Art Chic. Go to the Scrapdoodles blog for more details.

Here are some pictures of what you will be designing in the class:

I am so excited about this class and all the fun we are going to have. If you live in the area then I hope you can sign up!

xoxo

Surviving the D.C. Blizzard of 2010....long post!

2010-02-07T12:15:00.000-05:00

As you may have heard we had a little blizzard here in the D.C. area. It started Friday afternoon and didn't stop until Saturday evening. We've estimated that we got anywhere from 24-27 inches in our area. Here are some of the views from our home.....

This is right outside of our front door. In an earlier post I had a shot similar to this one but no where near the amount of snow!!!!

This is the view a little further down the sidewalk.

Little goober is all bundled up in his snow suit. The first time he ever got to wear it!!!

Of course what's 24 inches of snow without having a snowball fight, right????

This is my poor husband putting something in the garbage can in our backyard later that night after it stopped.

We lost power for most of the day unfortunately so there wasn't much to do at all...except do some crafting. For the first I painted on canvas with acrylic paints. I saw a drawing of a Victorian bunny in this vintage book I found and it inspired me to make a little painting:

Now, I am not much of a drawer or painter....as you can tell but it was a lot of fun getting into this medium and I hope to maybe take some classes to improve!

I also did this layout from summer when we visited Savannah, GA:

Well......that's all for the moment. Hope those of you who were in the blizzard are with power and are safe! For those of you who didn't get any of this white stuff...boy are you lucky!

xoxo

Always within my grasp but always coming up short..........

2010-01-31T09:05:00.000-05:00

For the last two months I have been pursuing a vintage typewriter on Ebay. I have fallen in love specifically with the Smith Corona Corsair model. I love that it is that teal blue color and I think it is just so darn cute!

The price for this dapper fellow is just right for me too. Otherwise this beauty that I saw in some pictures from CHA would be mine!

The only problem with getting my typewriter appears to be OTHER PEOPLE! It seems everyone and their brother is after this exact typewriter too and every time an auction is about over I am either not at home or the other bidder goes into a price range I am not willing to pay. It has become soooooo frustrating but it's okay....I'll eventually get him. Sigh!

So here is my take on my own little challenge which was inspired by Emily Martin's paintings:

I was so glad that after I choose that print of the boy/girl/hedgehog/airplane that I remembered that I had the Sassafras Lass Woodland Whimsy stamp set and of course the adorable Airplane stamp from Studio Calico. I think that the Airplane has officially been retired by SC and they sold out after the mad buying spree that happened this week due to the February Kit reveal. Have you seen Baker's Dozen yet? If not, don't worry about it because they're all gone =(

Last weekend my oldest and I did a card together. He wants to make V-Day cards this year for the family. This is the first one that we did together. He colored the rose and picked out the patterened paper.

I think we make a pretty good team!

Well, off to church and hopefully a run down to the LSS for a teaching project I will be doing at the end of February. More details about that to come!

xoxo

An artist I have long admired!!!

2010-01-29T11:24:00.000-05:00

I don't remember how I found out about Emily Martin from The Black Apple Shoppe but I have been a fan of hers for over a year now. She is such a unique artist to me. Her work is child like and dreamy and of course, very vintage! Take a look at some of her work

Below is the print that I just bought today as a V-day present..I hope Ted likes it!

She also came up with these adorable Anytime Valentines that I plan to give away to some lucky friends!

So, do you like her work as much as I do??? I know that I did not do my own inspirational challenge with Where the Wild Things Are...how embarrassing! Things at that time were really hectic for me but I totally want to do a new challenge that I KNOW I will do....so in honor of Emily's work....here it is:

I almost bought this print too! It's called "As Long as We Have Each Other." I love that cute little hedgehog!!! Anyway, have fun with it! It will neat to see what you all come up with!!

Happy Friday!

xoxo

Sunday Morning

2010-01-24T09:59:00.000-05:00

Ted woke up this morning and felt like making homemade buttermilk pancakes for everyone and boy were they yuuuuuuummmmmmmmmmy! Just look at these happy faces if you don't believe me:

Here is the chef himself enjoying his creations:

IHOP has nothing on these pancakes!!!!

Last night I saw a CHA challenge on the Studio Calico forum so I decided to play. Basically you have to do a layout using stash that is at least a year old. So here is mine:

Yep, that's me on my second birthday. And now you can do the math to see how old I am.

Well, gotta go get ready for church and the rest of the day!

xoxo

Flea Market Finds!!!!

2010-01-23T18:22:00.001-05:00

So, like I had said....we went to flea markets today and had a lot of fun. Here is what we found!

I am sooooo in love with this stuff! I love drawings/paintings of covered bridges so I snagged this beauty for $10. I also found this vintage Samsonite carrying case for $5. In the back is this old printing tray that was actually used at some newspaper a long time ago and they were selling them for $20. I totally see potential for a future craft project!!!!! Then of course my son wanted this old toy guitar for $4, super cute. Then I found this old edition of First Year Latin for $3. Then over far right is this cherry red little suitcase that the lady gave me for $2. I wanted to kiss her when she said the price!

Here are a few more views:

Last but not least I bought some little finds that I thought would look cute inside the carrying case:

I just love old brooches and buttons! Oh and I got those old spools of thread for $5 total!

Now time to make dinner and relax with the fam!

Hope everyone had a fun day like we did!

xoxo

Soggy Friday....but lots to blog!

2010-01-22T13:53:00.002-05:00

I'd be safe and warm if I was in L.A......California Dreamin'

This is one of my favorite photos by Alicia Bock...thought I'd share!

So my hubby came home with the news of where we were moving to at the end of this summer. We honestly were going to be happy no matter where we went because we trusted that it was where God wanted us. But, never would I imagine that we were moving back to my home state of California and even better still moving back to Southern California....Los Angeles to be exact!!! We are so excited and cannot believe that we will be going back to the West Coast!!!! Can you hear the bubbly laughter????

While we have been excited about moving back to the Golden State I have been busy craftin' and having fun when I can squeeze it in with a very demanding two year old!

This layout was done using an old Kenner Road kit. It was a stretch for me.

I am still playing with pleating and I loved adding some fabric to my page!

I used this coloring technique that I read about on this black and white photo of the boys. I love the whole colored black and white photo technique and will probably work with it again.

This layout was done using Studio Calico's Yearbook kit. I loved this kit and am almost done with it!!

I loved the house stamp that came with this kit and it hit me like a bolt of lightening to use the air balloon stamp from another kit with the house to replicate the UP movie. It turned out super cute don't ya think???

I loved painting and stamping the acrylic butterfly and those Sassafras flowers......sigh...lovely!

I also have been making some early Valentines because I don't know how much time I will have to do that when I start teaching on Thursday mornings. Here are a few that I've made so far.

Well hopefully this weekend won't be a wash like today has been. We want to go to some flea markets this weekend and look around. Hope you all have some nice plans for the weekend whether it is relaxing at home or doing something really fun.

Happy Friday!

xoxo

A day of Sunshine!

2010-01-19T11:28:00.000-05:00

Sunshine on my shoulders makes me happy

Sunshine in my eyes can make me cry

Sunshine on the water looks so lovely

Sunshine almost always makes me high

Yesterday was a warm, sunny day here in Northern Virginia and we took full advantage of it! We drove down to Fredericksburg and I made a stop at my LSS, Scrapdoodles....got the Tim Holtz Tiny Attacher and some pp to play with for Valentine's Day. Then we went for a drive and did some walking on Civil War trails. We ended up eating dinner at the Olive Garden, which made my oldest VERY happy!

I played around with the camera while we were driving and did they typical obscure shots like this below:

So anyway when we got home I went on to the Studio Calico blog and printed out the Sunday Sketch and went right to work on my version of Celiene's beautiful layout (she is one of my faves!!!). Check out the site if you are interested in playing along!So here is my version of the Sketch!

I loved this layout and had a lot of fun with it. Hope you do too!

Well off to clean a little, do some reading, and oh yeah, go to the Commissary!!! Yikes!!

Happy Tuesday! xoxo

Is it really Saturday???

2010-01-16T13:31:00.000-05:00

I find myself asking that question today as my husband is at work and I am home with both boys like it would be on any week day. The difference is that I am still in my bathrobe. Going to a friend's house for dinner and meeting some really neat people so I wanted to squeeze a layout in between cleaning the house, keeping the boys from acting like wild animals, and getting myself ready for the dinner.

I mentioned earlier in another post that the WhoDunit kit from Studio Calico was a little challenging for me. Well, last night and this morning I think I got the hang of it! This picture is of my cousin, Rachel, trying to open a bottle of wine for Thanksgiving dinner. We started teasing her that she looked desperate to open it like she needed a drink to cope hanging around with family...which couldn't be further from the truth! She started laughing, which then made it even harder for her to open the bottle. So, I wanted to put in a disclaimer that my cousin is NOT an alcoholic!!!!

Here are some detail shots. I do not have a sewing machine as of yet so all of the stitching is with a paper piercer and then drawing in the stitches. Very time consuming!!! I loved using part of the journal block stamp to turn it into faux stitching as well. I really do love this kit and have fallen in love with the color palette those Calico girls chose! Great job ladies!!!

Now off to take the robe off, clean the house, clean myself and the boys!!! Can it be done in a few hours?????? We shall see! Have a great Saturday!

xoxo

Vintage toys and a thing that tells time...

2010-01-15T15:37:00.000-05:00

Things have been busy here with PWOC stuff but also a little boring on the crafting front. I did manage to get to the thrift store the other day and found some really AWESOME stuff. Take this vintage Barbie carrying case. I almost decided not to buy it but then I opened it up and looked inside....

Now, I know that it looks dirty and old but I love the accessory boxes! For some reason those alone made me want to buy it for a whole $7.75. My husband told me that it still wasn't worth it for that price...but who cares!

As I was looking in some of the display cases they had at the store, I saw some bits of paper that looked like old paper dolls so naturally I was intrigued, but I never would have guessed that there were these.....

Yes, they are authentic Walt Disney Pictures "Mary Poppins" paper dolls with the original box intact and in very good vintage shape. All three characters have the outfits they wore in the movie and even some new ones. The box says that there are no tabs for the clothes but that they stay on like magic.....more like the magic of static electricity. You are supposed to rub the clothes on the doll and it "magically" stays on the doll. Weird, but super cute!

Last and certainly not least, I found this fellow to put on my craft desk to help me keep track of time while creating.

Isn't he cute??? I love watching the dials change minute by minute and hearing the hum of the clock as it works. The alarm is obnoxious of course but hey no man is ever perfect! Wonder what I should name him......hmmmmmm.

Hopefully tonight I can get some time in the ol' craft room and have some fun stuff to share later. Have a great Friday!!!

xoxo

Reminescing the Portrait Gallery and Fun with WhoDunit

2010-01-09T16:28:00.002-05:00

What a lazy, lazy Saturday! The temps are so downright chilly that no one dares go outside! So, we have finally taken the Christmas decorations down and the tree is next. It is so hard to say goodbye to the tree for a whole year...yep I just admitted we have a fake one....but I feel so much better when it is all done!

I have been having fun with the Studio Calico kit WhoDunit since I got it the other day! I have to say that this kit was a little challenging for me. The pieces in the kit have forced me a little outside of what I would be used to but I relish the challenge!

The first layout is one I created and I love these pictures that Ted took! That day was such a beautiful fall day and even a little warm too....aaah...those were the days! In Fairfax County there is an old prison that is now closed and part of it was renovated into a community art school where you can take all sorts of classes. The grounds surrounding it are just lovely and we really enjoyed taking lots of pictures. Sammy looks so handsome in this picture. He has grown so much this year and is becoming quite the young man! It all seems to just fly by, doesn't it?

This layout of Benjamin is a scraplift from Stephanie Wheeler. She is such a fabulous desinger and I am so glad she was chosen to be on Studio Calico's design team. Check out her page here. The layout went perfectly with this picture of Ben messily eating a PB and J sandwich and Disney Hollywood Studios last October. He can never eat anything without making a total mess of himself!!! Gotta love him though!

As I am trying to start the new year out on the right foot by being a little more organized, I came across these pictures that we took at the National Portrait Gallery just last weekend, on New Year's Day to be exact. I loved the exhibit on New Deal Art and this painting depicting happy ice skaters in Central Park was interesting. I loved the detail and colors. I was also taken with the idea the artist had to depict happiness in the painting even though not too far away "Hooverville" was erected...filled with plenty of homeless people suffering from the Depression.

My youngest loves cars so we took a picture of it and I am putting it in here so I can tell him that Mommy put a car on her blog. It is pretty cool though!

I have always admired this painting of Juliette Gordon Low, the founder of the Girl Scouts, USA. Her birthplace is Savannah, GA, one of my all time favorite places to visit. I think she just looks stunning in this painting and I love the glow that seems to come off of her. I don't know who the artist is but I always have to stop and stare at it when we come to the Portrait Gallery.

Well, now time to do some more chores.....oh boy, how fun!! Hope you all are staying warm and hopefully are having a nice Saturday!

xoxo

Couldn't resist!

2010-01-06T17:23:00.000-05:00

I couldn't resist these vintage 1960's gloves on Etsy today. I just adore the mustard color right now. I also couldn't say no to these "frogs" that I found this morning that I can't wait to use to display photographs and future projects.....

I loved them sooooo much that I made them my blog header. I have the best husband ever for letting me make these purchases.

xoxo

Getting back into the swing of things....

2010-01-06T11:24:00.004-05:00

This week has been challenging in that it is the first week back from Christmas vacation and the lack of structure and routine has made my brain fuzzy. It takes about another week to get it back on track again! Lately I had not been sleeping well and finally last night I think I caught up on some sleep so today I feel so much better. It is still brrrrrr cold out in DC and I wish it could warm up into the 40's again. I cannot believe I am saying that would be WARMER but it is that cold outside...at least to me. Tonight for dinner I am making one of our new family favorites. It is a Giada De Laurentis recipe, Creamy Artichoke Soup and Foccacia Panino, which is basically a fancy tuna melt. They are so good and it really is simple to make. Check out the recipes here and here.
This soup tastes so good and my husband is on cloud nine whenever I make it!

My mouth is just watering.....ok...just wait another 6 hours, you can do it, drea!

Over the holiday break I did manage to do a few more layouts. Here they are. The first is of our trip in July to Valparaiso, IN and a jaunt to Chicago. It was fun and I loved using more of the Marketplace kit and add on kit. Love that boy and girl silhouette stamp set and the alpha stamp set too! I love SC stamps! You haven't tried them you NEED to get on that!

This other layout was done using a Kenner Road kit. I used to subscribe to both kit clubs but tough times called for some cut backs and I decided to stick with SC. This kit club is a good one though and it was hard to part with it. I loved how in this kit they put a lot of October Afternoon products in it. I love OA and can't wait to see what they come up with for Winter CHA.

Well, lots more to do today so thanks for stopping by!

xoxo

The most wonderful time of the year......

2009-12-29T15:57:00.005-05:00

Whenever I hear that phrase..."the most wonderful time of the year..." I of course think of Christmas. Once the Big Day is over some sort of let down begins and I start feeling a little sad that all the fun and festivity is over. It is over for the most part at our house, although all the decorations are still up and won't come down till after the New Year. However, I still feel that wonderful time of the year feeling. Maybe it is because God has shown me true joy this year in spite of some circumstances...maybe it's because I am a lucky woman to have such a loving husband and two beautiful boys as well as two wonderful step children...and maybe it is because my heart has changed so much in the last few months that I see things so differently than I used to. No matter the reasons, I am glad for this new change inside of me.

It is really cold outside but inside my heart is so warm from the love we have in our home and I have this urge to spread that warmth from our home to others that may be feeling a little cold.

For this new year, I pray that every family has the joy, peace, and love in their home that we have in ours. I pray that families that have heartache find true solace and families that have financial struggles find true prosperity. I pray that true Love prevails over all!

In our home we are going to make sure we have lots of laughter....lots of hugs and kisses......lots of quiet time with God......lots of creativity.............

We don't want to forget all of the Blessings that God has given to us and be in a constant state of thankfulness. Of course, we also want to be that blessing to anyone who is in need. I hope you are all enjoying the remainder of the holiday season and have still retained some of that "Christmas Spirit" to carry over into the New Year!

I got some inspiration last night from my copy of Pottery Barn catalog. I love, of course, the Vintage Style they had on the front cover. I really was inspired by those gorgeous quilts. I loved the color scheme!! I thought that my little used Marketplace kit from Studio Calico would be a perfect fit and I was delighted to find out I was right!

As you can tell from this post my faith in Jesus has grown immensely over the past few years and I wanted to scrap exactly how I feel about my Lord and Savior. The journaling is from Matthew 16:24-25.

I love those Thickers from American Crafts because I looooove that green! I also had never done the quilting method on any of my layouts before so it was a first. The faux stitching is of course far from perfect but I know that if I had done it for real it would probably looked worse....so I was keepin' it real!

Thanks for stopping by! Happy Tuesday to you all!

xoxo

I gotta toot about this!!!!

2009-12-26T22:21:00.002-05:00

I was about to turn off the computer just now tonight but I wanted to catch up with anything on Studio Calico and I happened to see their blog on member gallery inspiration. Céline Navarro, whom I totally love, picked her faves from this month's kit in the gallery and my "Trimming the Tree" was one of them! I screamed and ran upstairs to interrupt my husband's music session to tell him and of course drag him to the computer so he could see it. Check it out here.

I will definitely be going to bed with a smile on my face tonight!!

xoxo

Santa Came Yesterday!

2009-12-26T12:58:00.004-05:00

Hope you all enjoyed your Christmas as our family did! We really had a nice, relaxing day and both the boys got what they wanted which means all is well! This year my husband just asked for a list from me and got pretty much everything I wanted. We even shopped for me together so it was no surprise what was waiting for me under the tree. Here are some of the things I got...

I love love love this movie! Madeline Kahn is so hysterical as Mrs. White!

I had seen this book mentioned a few times as a "gotta read" so I added it to my list and got it!

At Forever 21 I spotted a cameo similar to this one and snatched it quickly because I love cameos and I love brooches!

I am madly in love with houndstooth and was overjoyed that it came back into style this season! I love the typical black and white but when I saw the red mixed in with this coat at Forever 21 I was sold!

Of course since I am a major Twilighter, I had to get the New Moon soundtrack. Haven't listened to it yet but can't wait to put this bad boy on my Ipod!

Hopefully later I will post some pictures from our day. It really was a nice day...just the four of us! We had some issues with our oven not working but thank God it didn't ruin our turkey!

Heck, I'll still say it...Merry Christmas all!

xoxo

It's Christmas Eve....FINALLY!

2009-12-24T11:18:00.002-05:00

As I am sure most of you heard that the Northeast got dumped with a ton of snow last Saturday. Well, here's what my front yard looked like on that day....YIKES! I am a So Cal/So Fla girl so this stuff is foreign to me. Apparently it is to most people in Northern VA because so many people have been getting their cars stuck while driving in it. I have not driven since the snow has been on the ground because Ted is THE professional on winter weather driving. Most counties ended up canceling school all of this week so Sam will have a nice Christmas break to enjoy. He already is...as we speak he and Ben are watching the beginning of a Christmas movie marathon...first up is Polar Express.

We haven't gone out in the snow too much but we did stop by Mount Vernon last Sunday, which was the day after the "blizzard." It was unfortunately closed but it was so lovely to see everything blanketed with snow. We took some cute pictures of us outside the Mount Vernon Inn Restaurant which is a great place to eat at if you are ever in the area! The pumpkin soup is out of this world!

Aren't my guys so cute???? I think I will keep them....or rather they'll let me stay!

So here it is Christmas Eve and there is already too much to do in 24 hours and I am not including sleep in that. Of course I have procrastinated until today to do any wrapping and unfortunately not all of my presents from my hubby are in from Amazon.com yet. The "blizzard" really messed things up here for mail. But it's not like I don't already know what I am getting. I'll let you guys know...nothing big but just a bunch of fun things I've always wanted but never got around to getting. And on that note...I finally got around to printing out some recent pictures so I could do some craftiness with my December kit from Studio Calico. I have only done this layout so far and I have to say that I am loving this kit. Studio Calico never disappoints!!!!

Well, in case I don't blog again before tomorrow...Merry Christmas everyone! God Bless you and your families!!

xoxo

Yummy Vintage Goodies and Randomness

2009-12-17T15:19:00.004-05:00

It's been tooooo long since my last post. The holiday rush caught up with me and I am in over my head! What was I thinking when I said, "Sure, honey, I'll hand make the cards this year!?" Anyway, today after dropping Sam off at school it popped into my head to stop by the good ol' Fort Belvoir Thrift store to see if they had any vintage trappings for me and yeah they sure did. So here is what I bought.....a meat grinder, 4 classic Nancy Drew books, a super duper cute owl perched on some books (so stinkin' cute!) and this adorable set of 3 measuring cups. I think that monkey won't let me have them until Christmas so I guess I just bought some more presents for myself. = 0

I also wanted to make some personal Christmas gifts for some dear friends of mine. One of which is below. After I gave the Thankful banner to a friend for Thanksgiving my other good friend wanted one as well. I love this banner and wish I had made one for myself but alas there doesn't seem to be time for me to make anything well....for me. I haven't even been doing any layouts which is driving me crazy since I have the new Studio Calico kit Orchestra still sitting in its box with those scrumptious 12 month stamps. (sigh!) Maybe I'll get around to it after Christmas.

Hope your holiday plans are going well. Hanukkah is almost over....we try to do it all 8 nights but we have admittedly missed a few! We are also doing a wonderful Advent devotional called, "In My Heart I Carry a Star," by Derek Maul. It's been really useful in reminding us as a family what this season is really all about and not getting caught up in the commercialism of it. It still can happen regardless but I feel that we are trying to be careful and conscious of how we spend our time reflecting the Christmas season.

Good Tidings to you, to you and your Kin!
drea

Back from PWOC conference

2009-11-20T10:13:00.005-05:00

Well, I am back from PWOC's N.E. Regional conference and boy, what a time we had! It was awesome praising God with ladies from as far as Maine all the way down to southern Virginia! Fort Belvoir definitely showed up in full force as you can see from above. There are even some dear friends of mine missing in that picture!!! Our speaker was Linda Dillow (awesome!) and our praise and worship leader was Shannon Wexelburg (truly gifted by God!). I got back into town on Sunday, early evening and it has taken me a few days to get around to catching up with the crafting blogosphere.

In fact I have been so out of it that yesterday, my dear friend, Tessa, had to call me and tell me that a page that I submited to Creating Keepsakes was featured on their blog yesterday! I was floored!!!! Thank you CK! This really was an affirmation for me and I cannot express how much it meant to me. If I felt that happy about being featured on a blog I cannot imagine the thrill of being published in a magazine! Because of this I now know that it isn't impossible!!!!

Well....for some of you out there you know what tonight is............and yes, I will be there at 7pm....

But before that eating here with some girlfriends! Yay!!!!!

I am sooooooooo excited!!!! A real girl's night out! Tomorrow, I will also have some girl time as I help a friend with a project and then later go out on a date with my hubby! What a weekend! Hope all of you have a great weekend too!

xoxo

Starting Early on the Cheer!

2009-11-09T15:18:00.002-05:00

Yea, I get to blog twice today!!!!! I was so inspired by this class that Jenni Bowlin is doing that I made these two yummy vintage Christmas ornaments. I just love how cute and festive they are and they are sooooooo easy to make! That's is the best part! Who needs to spend hours making complicated gifts during the holidays????? Not this lady!

Hope you all are getting ready for the season too! I hope you all get to enjoy some of it in between all of preparations!

Blessings to you and your families! xoxo

If you didn't get your SC kit...you're gonna wish you did!

2009-11-09T14:48:00.006-05:00

I got my new Studio Calico kit Friday before a Saturday crop we had at Scrapdoodles...yes, I am a lucky girl!!!! After pulling everything out of the kit like a kid going through their loot after Halloween...and showing everything to a husband who was pretending to care....I was good and put everything back so it would be fresh for the crop the next day! I can restrain myself sometimes! =D This is the layout that I did at the crop using the main kit, Marketplace. I love how the patterned paper went perfectly with these gorgeous pictures we took a few weekends ago down at Quantico! There are a few laughs about this page: 1) One friend is convinced that my children will grow up thinking that Mom doesn't know how to spell the word "photo" the correct way...2) The paper used for the title block was part of the SC patterned paper B side that was showing a diagram of a rocket and well... I guess it was the way I cut it but it basically looked like I had a big penis on my title blog. What's a girl to do? Cover it up as best you can with the Thickers!

My friend, Tessa, has been doing this neat DIY embellie flowers lately and they was just what was needed to emphasize the color and feel of my layout. All you need for these gorgeous flowers is some white tissue paper, different sized circle punches or scissors, Glimmer Mists or Maya Mists, and a cute button/brad. First, cut out different sized circles from the tissue paper. I did a few of each size. Next, lay them out and Mist the heck out of em! Then I would dry them with my heat gun...much faster that way! Last, layer them whatever way you want and put something pretty in the middle! There you have it!

This page I did at home last night. This picture of my boys was such a neat picture...and a rare sweet moment between them. I thought the add-on kit, Bazazr, would be perfect for it and boy was it ever! I loved the sheet of wood that I got with the kit....I mean, come on! How neat?! The next thing that I loved about this kit was the stamp set that came with it. This awesome fence border stamp was so fun to work with and I cannot wait to try the other one out...just check in later to see.

I loved how I even got to use the packaging from Sassafras's Whimsy Flowers for my title blocks. It goes to show you that anything in that brown paper bag can be used....hey, even the bag itself!

See what I mean about that fence stamp?? Gotta have one now don't ya?

Well, I will be back much later as it is time for PWOC NE regional conference this week and I leave tomorrow afternoon for Harrisburg, PA for it! God is definitely going to show up and show off as my Belvoir Babes keep saying!

Happy Monday to all of you!

xoxo

What a great idea this is!

2009-11-05T10:38:00.003-05:00

I was on May Flaum's site Confessions of a Chocoholic and I found this button on her blog that led me to this site. Apparently it is going to be a big blog hop party and it would be so fun if those of you who blog would join. I added the link to my blog so you can just click on it and find the details there. I don't even know what I am going to make yet but I am soooooo excited to participate! Hope you can join in the fun too!!!!!

I've got a raspy boy home from school today and I was unable to make it to PWOC =( I hope I don't get sick too before the crop at Scrapdoodles on Saturday and the PWOC NER conference! Yikes!!!!

xoxo

More Inspiration for the challenge!!!!!

2009-11-03T09:38:00.003-05:00

Just this morning while eating a yummy red apple for breakfast I stumbled up (w/o the aid of StumbleUpon.com =D) this blog called Terrible Yellow Eyes that features artists who create work inspired by Maurice Sendak's "Where the Wild Things Are." This is just a sample of some of the work on there...isn't it absolutely amazing?! I can't even pick which one I like the most....can you???? I have not worked on my project yet but this has now totally lit a fire under my little butt to do something!!!! Can't wait to see what other do too! =)

xoxo

Halloween recap, first class, and playing with Yearbook again

2009-11-02T17:13:00.004-05:00

I had a great weekend! We had a blast trick or treating at our friends' house on Halloween. The boys got a TON of candy. Ted and I didn't exactly plan on dressing up but the spirit over took us that night so I brought a black beret I had plus my turtle neck and clown nose and poof...a French clown is born! Our friends had back up costumes so since Sam was Capt. Jack Sparrow we all thought that Daddy should be a pirate too!

On Sunday, I got to teach my first class at Scrapdoodles. It was my Thankful Banner and it was so much fun to do.....so thank you to the ladies that came! Hope we can all do it again! Today was a day off for Sam so the house was a little more busy than usual but I did manage to do some scrapping. I loved these pictures of Ben at the Forsythe Park in Savannah, GA. I loved this kit too! What fun it has been to play with everything in it.

Hope you enjoy the rest of your Monday evening...gotta get off and go workout at the gym. It's been a goal of mine to stay in shape and my husband has been made in charge of me keeping my goal. So off I go!!

xoxo

Happy Halloween...here's a little treat!

2009-10-31T09:49:00.002-04:00

Hey everybody! I'm sure you are all looking forward to this evening like my family is. I love taking the boys trick or treating. They they it's so cool that they get dressed up and knock on people's doors to get candy. We will be escorting Captain Jack Sparrow and Stitch around our friend's neighborhood tonight. It will be lots of fun!!!

Yesterday, I made two cards for my boys. For Sammy, I made the mummy card that my friend Tessa had done for one of her Scrapdoodles card classes. He really loves it! For Ben, I took some of the scraps from her class and made the card above. I think it's really cute and friendly card for my little one.

Have fun tonight and be safe!

xoxo

What I am inspired by right now....

2009-10-29T22:23:00.004-04:00

I love everything about this movie since the first time I saw the movie poster and when I saw the previews I KNEW I would love it!!!!I love Spike Jonze and I love Kim O who has collaborated on the soundtrack....also they featured the song "Wake Up" by one of my favorite bands The Arcade Fire. I already loved the book which is one of my favorites to read to my boys. In fact I have often called Benjamin a wild thing and I think he should be Max for Halloween next year.

Anyway so this is not only a color challenge but just an inspirational challenge. Interested to see how it is interpreted!

I think we are going to see the movie this weekend so I will let you know if it's any good!

A side project with a friend

2009-10-29T17:31:00.002-04:00

I have become hooked on Stumbled Upon...and found a site that had this interesting story of 4 artists who never spoke to each other but passed this book to alter back and forth. It was a neat site and you can check it out here. I showed this site to a friend from PWOC who is big time into altered art and she said we had to do something like this so....this is my first page that I did for our book. We are actually doing two books, which will be exactly the same so we both have a copy when we are done. The title says " Beauty is in the eye of the beholder unless you have optic neuritis." It is a real disease I assure you! I had a lot of fun doing this and using things that I haven't used yet in my crafting like tissue paper and playing with my alcohol inks that I had to dust off!
Off to order pizza for the crew for dinner...Mommy's tooooo tired to cook tonight...hey, I've cooked every other night this week....I can have a night off!

xoxo

Here's my take

2009-10-29T15:53:00.003-04:00

Where have I been you may ask??? Well, it seems that life once again got crazy when we got back from Disney World. I wanted to post some pictures from our trip..which I still will do...but I just didn't seem to get around to posting. I haven't even done any thing crafty except last weekend....I met Donna Downey and I took one of her classes! She is an incredible artist and I felt so inspired by her! She is also very very funny too!

As I mentioned in my last post...my friend Tessa had a challenge for me and I FINALLY got to do it! I have to be honest I did it in such a hurry that I could have been a little more thoughtful about it. I used the water color crayons from my Donna Downey class...those are so much fun...and I used some of the Nutmeg from Cosmo Cricket...also I used the Crackle Accents on the tree trunk and leaves. The stamp set is from Stampin' Up. The message on the inside says "thinking of you" but I can't show it to you because I gave this card to my husband and put a "private" message in there.

I promise to post more as time allows but as I said things are getting busy with PWOC and the Northeast Regional conference we are doing in a couple of weeks. I will be teaching a class this Sunday at Scrapdoodles...it's the Thankful Banner class. It should be lots of fun so check out their site if interested!

Oh, and check out Studio Calico's new kits that just went live! Marketplace is sooo awesome and so are the add on kits! Get em' while ya can!!

hugs

Have to wait till next weekend!

2009-10-09T21:58:00.005-04:00

My friend Tessa who's blog is Crafty Girl Designs has posted a super cute color challenge with these Gymboree rain boots as inspiration! Check out her blog to see her take on it. You'll have to wait for mine because as I said earlier...my family has a date with a mouse!

This is really it for now! Wink wink!

One More Before the Road....Guess Where I'm Going!

2009-10-09T21:20:00.003-04:00

I finally got my Studio Calico kit yesterday! It has to be one of my favorites!!! I had printed this picture of Ted and the boys in Savannah, GA to crop at the ScrapPink last weekend but didn't get a chance to do it. Well, with good ol' Yearbook in my hands it was the first picture I grabbed. Inside the envelope is a love letter to my husband telling him why I love him so much. This has to be one of my favorite pictures of him. Usually he poses too much for pictures but for some reason in this moment he was completely himself and that is why it is the sexiest picture of him....sorry for digressing! Do I need a cold shower now?

On a more G rated note.....

Here is where we will be next week. In fact we leave bright and early tomorrow morning!!!!! What am I still doing on here?.....I don't know but anyway....have a great weekend and a great next week. I check in with you later!

Getting Ready...the story of my life!

2009-10-06T13:50:00.003-04:00

Do you ever have days were you feel like all you are doing every morning is getting ready for something??? I know that since I have opted to take my kindergartner to school every day that of course that means I have to get all of us ready every morning but don't you ever want to like maybe...drive your kid up to the school in your pajamas, bathrobe, and fuzzy slippers?? Maybe that's just me! I am digressing! So, after such a creative weekend at ScrapPink I thought I had zapped out all of my creative energy for a few days but it really made me hungry for more and I surprisingly was able to squeeze out this layout with my little cutie getting ready for his first day of school. I am so proud of him because he really has enjoyed school. My husband and I thought that he would be emotional for a while because he is our home body...he loves to snuggle and watch movies all day but he really enjoys school and making friends.

Anyways, I hope all of you are having a good week so far! Looking forward to getting the first season of Mad Men from Netflix. Never really watched it before and I've heard good things about it so...let's hope it's as good as the hype!

Catch ya later!
drea

ScrapPink was this weekend and here are the Layouts

2009-10-04T15:14:00.003-04:00

Scrapdoodles in Fredericksburg, VA hosted ScrapPink this weekend and it was a blast! It was so much fun to crop for hours and really take time with my layouts. I used Studio Calico kits Fortune Cookie, Documentary, and Cotillion for 3 of the layouts. The sushi layout made me so hungry while I was doing it. If you love sushi as much as I do I suggest getting your hands on those Maya Road stamps soon. They were lots of fun to work with!!!

If your LSS is hosting a ScrapPink I highly recommend it! What a great way to get together with girlfriends and support a great cause!

Oh yeah, and it was World Card Making Day yesterday but I only made one little card that was rather simple. Since he didn't get proper attention yesterday I will give the poor little fellow his own post tomorrow!

Thanks for stopping by!

Thankful Banner Class @ Scrapdoodles!!!

2009-09-23T20:29:00.004-04:00

I love Fall and I love using natural elements in my crafting when I can. I hope you do too!
I will be teaching this class on Sunday, November 1, 2009 at Scrapdoodles at 12:30pm. The cost is $19.

Call to sign up and please bring the following:
Paper Trimmer
Brown Ink
Adhesive
Scissors

See you this Saturday at the Scrapdoodles Teacher Meet and Greet from 3-6pm. We will be having some fun Make and Takes and some yummy treats too.

Until Then!

First Day mini album @ Scrapdoodles

2009-09-18T13:24:00.003-04:00

Check out this super cute album I made for my kindergartner's first day of school using Cosmo Cricket's "Jack's World" line! Isn't it fun?! I will be teaching this project at Scrapdoodles on Sunday, October 4th at 12:30pm. The cost is $22.

There are a lot of fun techniques in this class like doodling, heat emobssing with American Craft's Zing powders, and even a weird technique that I came upon quite by accident!

When you come please bring the standard stuff: adhesive, scissors, paper trimmer, round edge punch (if you have one!) and brown ink. We will be using white ink gel pens and if you have one already then please bring it! If you don't have one yet, then you are in for fun!

Also on Saturday, September 26 from 3-6pm we are having a teacher Meet and Greet at Scrapdoodles. Come and meet all of the teachers and get an early jump on signing up for our holiday classes!!! We even have a Make and Take planned! It's going to be fun so don' miss out!!!!

My Take...New Wonders

2009-09-04T23:35:00.003-04:00

I wanted to submit my take on the challenge before we left to go camping this Labor Day weekend....so here it is! I really liked the simplicity of the book and wanted to keep my layout as simple as possible. I loved how the book reminded me of Dexter's Laboratory (remember that show?) and that whole 50's-60's cartoonish feel to it and I tried to replicate that. It certainly was a challenge for me to do!

Product:
Cardstock: Bazzil
Patterned Paper: Basic Grey
Stickles in Diamond
Punch by Friskars
Ribbon, epherma-vintage

I hope more of you play along! It would be fun to do this again! My friend Tessa and I are going to be submitting for Moxie's Fab World for their holiday challenge. She has already posted hers...check it out at Crafty Girl Designs.

Everyone have a safe and fun Labor Day weekend!

A Challenge

2009-09-02T12:20:00.004-04:00

I went to the library with the boys yesterday and after we picked out some books for Mommy we went to the Children's section of the library and I couldn't resist this adorable cover! The book and it's illustrations are so simple and yet so DARN cute!!!!! I thought this would be the perfect inspiration for a project. So if anyone else wants to play along for fun just post the link to your work in the comment section! I would love to see what anyone comes up with!

Have fun!!!!!

Summer Reflection

2009-09-02T12:05:00.003-04:00

Well, this summer wasn't the "sunniest" one. In fact, for our family it was pretty difficult. There were times where I got so caught up in the difficulties and the hurts that I missed out on some happier moments.
As I was going through the past month's pictures I had taken I started to smile at some of them. I felt like God was showing me that through the pain there is joy.
I was reading my Bible and it says in Isaiah 55:12 "You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace, the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands."
Joy is a choice; not a feeling or an emotion. When you choose to go forth in joy, He will lead in peace, and, oh boy, what He will do for you then! So, I thought I would share some of that joy I had missed out on in the moment but now I see more clearly.

Wishing you all the joy and peace today!

My boys in Savannah, GA

The Scrap Crew in Valley Forge, PA for CKC

Me and my handsome husband rooting for the Anaheim Angels at Camden Yard

My boys and my stepdaughter at Brookside Gardens in Maryland

Another Monkey Love!

2009-08-07T11:16:00.003-04:00

Apparently I love the title Monkey Love because I realized as I was saving the pics of this project that this is not the 1st Monkey Love layout I have done. Does anyone else have that problem????? Okay, so THESE are gorillas and NOT monkeys but hey, whatever works! I used my add-on kit from Studio Calico. I love the hot air balloon stamp and the new flocking technique my friend Tessa showed me from a class she took at the Creating Keepsakes Convention in Valley Forge last weekend! It was a lot of fun....although the rooms were how shall we say??....... Well you'll see in my next post so stay tuned!!!!

xoxo

On a roll this weekend!

2009-07-26T22:49:00.005-04:00

I managed to another page done today! It's a little late to do a spring layout but it was still fun! I like finding ways to add girly things to my pages even though my boys are in the pictures. I didn't use too much pink, did I?

Products:
Patterned Paper, Grommets, butterflies, ribbon: Making Memories
Letters: Thickers by American Craft
Rub Ons: Basic Grey

Toodles!

Afternoon in Leesburg, VA

2009-07-26T11:12:00.003-04:00

We felt like discovering something new here in VA so we went to Leesburg and visited Morven Park. This used to be the Governor's Mansion.

These cherubim were over the arch of the front door of the house! Absolutely beautiful!

I love this chandelier and the ornate ceiling! This was the entry way into the house.

This was the French Room and this was their entertaining/drawing room. Lots and lots of gorgeous things in this room!

This was my favorite room by far! This was the Gentlemen's room and there used to be a billiards table in here but a later owner sold it...too bad. I loved the wood and the colors and the random dead animals on the walls like the moose, deer, black bear, pelican, and even a turtle!

We had a great time and want to go back into Leesburg to checkout the vintage/antique stores and cute eateries they had there! Check it out if you haven't yet!

On Location fun!

2009-07-26T10:47:00.003-04:00

So, I finally got to play with my On Location add on kit from Studio Calico! Yea!!!!!! We go to the National Zoo a lot and I loved that this kit featured a zoo theme with K & Company and Sassafras's lines. I still have lots of photos from our trips and tons more of the kit to play with!

I love the stamp that came with this kit. It features a hot air balloon and this frame that I used here as a journaling block.

This cork alphabet from Making Memories Great Escape line is soooo cool! It is so versatile too!

I got to use some of the elemental stickers from Sassafras's Jungle Bungle line....such a cute line. Have you checked out their sneaks for CHA this week? Lots of super cute stuff!!!!!! They are one of my favorite companies! I love the Monstrosity line that they produced...great for boys!

Well....the weekend is winding down. Tomorrow, I will have surgery to remove a scar I have had on my face for 4 years now. It isn't a big deal but it was starting to bug me when I would see myself in pictures. Thank goodness the insurance is covering it! This weekend me and a few girlfriends are heading to Valley Forge for CKC! My first one, too! I am soooo excited! I plan on taking lots of pictures and posting them as soon as possible!

Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

In the midst of chaos I manage to squeeze one out!

2009-07-23T18:41:00.003-04:00

Soooo...life has been really crazy lately! Family trips, step daughter is in town, PWOC in full swing and gearing up my oldest for kindergarten! Yeeeesh!
While I was at Scrapdoodles I was directed to the new Fancy Pants Kraft Kuts boy line and I fell in love with it! I got out my trusty Stickles and used my Silhouette and created this cute little number (pun intended!).

The journaling says: "It seemed the only thing I said to you that whole summer was, 'Stay out of those rocks!' But did you listen to Mommy? Nope! You loved playing in those rocks! Summer '08

Hope everyone else's summer is a little smoother than mine! Gotta go get ready for a bowling date wiht my hubby!

See ya later!

A Quickie!

2009-06-28T12:25:00.002-04:00

I went over to a friend's house last night for a crop that I showed up waaaay late for! I only had a chance to do one layout and here it is! I used Studio Calico's Playground kit with two of my Glimmer Mists!

The journaling reads: "You looked longingly at the school bus as it drove by the house but I told you, 'Don't worry...' "

It hasn't been the greatest weekends! My hubby unfortunately had to work over the weekend but he hopes to get tomorrow off so then we can drink coffee in the morning and relax with the boys outside! That is my favorite thing about the weekend...and I hope that all of you have been able to enjoy something about your weekend!

See ya!

A Little Fun with Soda Fountain!

2009-06-25T07:50:00.003-04:00

So here is the layout that I was promising to complete yesterday! It is a continuation of my Mother's Day in Pennsylvania. Everything used was from Studio Calico's Soda Fountain kit from last month (except the two pieces of green Bazzil Cardstock). I believe this kit is sold out now.

It's been so long since I've done a 2 page layout that it was a little challenging because I've developed a 1 page layout sort of brain lately! The super cute pinwheels were a demo that was on Studio Calico's blog...definitely check it out! I had a lot of fun with my Glossy Accents which up until this point I had been using for adhesive (weird, huh?). This is also the first time I am using Cosmo Cricket's Early Bird line! Fun, fun, fun!

Well, off to the pool with the kids and some friends today! See you later!

Something New!

2009-06-24T18:27:00.002-04:00

It has been sooooo long since I have been able to sit down at my house and do a layout! My little boys keep me so preoccupied (and so does housework!) that I can never seem to do anything. So, this week I put my foot down and FINALLY did a layout! I was inspired by Jenni Bowlin, whom I love, and unfortunately missed when she came into town this past weekend (it was DH's birthday AND Father's Day). I love the photograph because my wonderful husband took it and it really captured the beauty of Amish country in PA!

The journaling says:

"At first I had a hard time seeing how anyone would want to live as the Amish in Intercourse, PA do. But, then I realized that these were their homes and home is where the heart is. I still prefer my home, but I found a respect and admiration for how well the Amish keep their simple, yet beautiful farms and homes. May 2009"

I am currently working on a Mother's Day two page layout from that same day and hopefully will have it posted in the near future!

Thanks for stopping by!!!

Product:
All Jenni Bowlin except library card pocket, flasher, and vintage children's book illustration

I know it's been awhile....

2009-06-04T19:34:00.003-04:00

No, I didn't fall off the face of the planet but I came pretty close to it!!!!!! Just been busy with family and PWOC stuff. Good news is that my year as Outreach chairperson is over and our final program was today and there were lots of tears as some women will be moving, this is the military life! On the other hand, I am now 1st Vice President Spiritual Life this new year and now have a whole new set of responsibilities ahead of me! The Lord is with me though as I go through this!
Anyway, since I have been feeling like a stranger in my own home the last couple of months I wanted to do an 'ode to home' layout and here it is! Practically everything used was from Kenner Road's May kit: Constant Companion. If you never have heard of them check them out. They are getting way popular (rightfully so!) and since I had two kit subscriptions at the time and DH told me I had to bring it down to one...Kenner lost out....but when the other subscription runs out with Studio Calico I might return to Kenner.....or get a job so I can have both!
Anyways, I love the super cute exclusive polka dot bird stamp that seems to go perfectly with Crate Paper's line as well as Cherry Hill from October Afternoon!

I plan on posting a lot again so be on the look out! See ya!

7 Happy Years!

2009-05-12T23:04:00.003-04:00

It's been a loooooooooong while since I have posted on here! Frankly, I have been so busy I haven't had a chance to breathe let alone do anything crafty(heavy sigh!). Good news, I had a wonderful Mother's Day and yesterday my wonderful husband and I celebrated 7 years of marriage by heading up the PWOC sponsored Free Market here on Fort Belvoir. Romantic....no....but we saw a lot of military families be blessed and that is just AWESOME! I will be in my favorite scrapbook store this weekend for their 2nd National Scrapbook Day crop-a-thon so hopefully I will have something to post for you guys next week!

Hope you are having a stress free week but if you do have stress...it's okay......this too shall pass!

C ya!

Monkey Love!

2009-04-21T10:53:00.003-04:00

I had done this layout last week and finally I can get it up on the blog! My inspiration of course was the super cute Sock Monkey you saw me fall in love with on Valentine's Day. So, I HAD to buy the Sock Monkey from Stampin' Up! as well! I owe the idea of the Sock Monkey detail I used on this layout to Tessa Wise my Stampin' Up! coordinator. Please check out her site which you can see by clicking on this blog title!
Thanks for stopping by!

Products Used:

Cardstock: Bazzil
Patterned Paper: Studio Calico, Making Memories
Stamps: Stampin' Up!, Studio Calico
Embellishments: American Crafts, Maya Road, Making Memories, Kaiser

Perfect Fit!

2009-04-21T10:37:00.003-04:00

So here's my layout!! My two men love to do puzzles together and this one particular evening of puzzle fun my son was dressed a little funny. He was hammin' it up too for the camera. He was in such a fun mood and I tried to capture that with the bright colors! I even took apart one of my son's puzzles and traced the edges for my border pieces. He was upset that I took it apart so he put it back together again...see what I mean? He LOVES puzzles!

Have a fabulous day today! It is finally sunny out again!!! Yea!!!

Products Used:

Cardstock: Bazzil
Patterned Paper: Sassafras Lass, Making Memories
Embellishments: Sassafrass Lass, Making Memories, Bazzil, Chatterbox, Glimmer Mist, American Crafts, Fancy Pants

Whew! What a week!!!!!

2009-04-20T19:16:00.003-04:00

Okay,

I have not been posting much of anything lately because I have been heavily involved in PWOC ministry stuff. I just got through helping coordinate a rally that comprised of 250 women! That is no easy feat! For therapy after the fact I did manage to do a 1 page layout which I will post tomorrow (the lighting today was terrible with all the rain!).

But I am leaving you with something that I did not get to see myself this weekend. It was my son's first tee ball game. I sadly missed it due to the rally and so Daddy took lots of pictures which Mommy looked at and cried over because I felt so terrible for missing this moment! Just a thought...Moms....don't miss the precious moments you can never get back with your kids!

Layout featuring Studio Calico's Fortune Cookie Kit

2009-04-04T10:14:00.002-04:00

While the boys are having fun at Grandma & Grandpa's house I managed to squeak out a super cute layout using the February kit (Fortune Cookie) from Studio Calico! I loved the Chinese inspired papers! I also love how I managed to put flowers in a layout featuring my little one devouring a Bangerang Bakeshop Cupcake in a Jar! They were yummy and I highly recommend checking out her website. She even makes Vegan cupcakes that are supposed to taste out of this world (in a good way, wink!)!

Stay tuned for a new mini album class I will be doing hopefully in June. It is for all of those moms who have or will be sending off their little boy to kindergarten or preschool! I know it's early but I'd rather get it out of the way now so I don't have to worry about it later!

Have a bright sunny weekend! God Bless!!!

Graphic45 Mirror Class at Scrapdoodles!

2009-03-30T20:49:00.002-04:00

So here is the reveal of the Graphic45 mirror class that I will be teaching at Scrapdoodles in Fredericksburg.

Details:
When: Wednesday, May 20th @ 6:30pm
Cost: $24.00
What to Bring:

Black ink

Black Journal Pen

Paper Trimmer

Paint Brush

Favorite Adhesive/Strong Adhesive

Strong Scissors

Hole Punch and Eyelet Setter

1” inch Circle Punch

Ruler

Craft Knife

Pencil

Call Scrapdoodles to reserve your spot! See ya then!

How Have I Changed Mini Album

2009-03-30T13:55:00.003-04:00

So my crazy week and weekend are FINALLY OVER!!! It was a great week though because we made 57 Easter baskets for the Exceptional Families here on Fort Belvoir and then we hosted a truly beautiful Mother/Daughter Tea on Saturday. It was so much fun to see everyone dressed in their finest and looking smashing!
I had completed this book last week, surprisingly, but only got around today to taking the pics. I love this book because it is the first time using pics of myself as a little girl. I also love this album and the way it turned out for two reasons: 1) Cosmo Cricket's beautiful Girl Friday line and 2) using the sanding technique to cover the album instead of cutting along the edges with scissors and/or craft knife! This technique hands down has to be my favorite now. There is little worry of messing up and it just seems to get the results I want. Gotta get some more of those little tools I bought at the crop two weeks ago! If you haven't tried this technique yet for making mini albums then my question for you is: Why not???

See ya later!

Salem Baptist Church Crop

2009-03-23T14:21:00.003-04:00

The Scrap Pack @ Salem Baptist Church!!!!!!!

My favorite layout that I did this weekend....isn't he adorable??

The major reason I never get anything done! He is for sale..see the tickets???

Our Valentine's Day!

Well, it was a busy weekend at the Salem Baptist Church in Fredericksburg, VA. We had about 16 hours of cropping, a few make & takes (yea, Scrapdoodles!), and a silent auction (I won a Little Yellow Bicycle bag with Love Notes goodies!) all in two days...whew! I didn't get as much cropping done as I had wanted but that seemed to be a common problem among the ladies I sat with. I had a great time and highly recommend doing it if you are in town next year! They said they planned on extending the hours too!! I also loved that they played episodes of "I Love Lucy" while we cropped on Friday night! My faves were "Lucy does a TV Commercial," and "Lucy in the Chocolate Factory."

Well...hope you had a great weekend! I will be busy this week putting the finishing touches on the favors for the PWOC Mother/Daughter Tea we will be hosting this weekend. Maybe, just maybe I will post something new...stay tuned!!!

What I've Been Up To

2009-03-19T17:40:00.002-04:00

I haven't been blogging lately because I have been soooo busy!!! I have a lot going on with PWOC..... a Mother/Daughter Tea coming up next weekend, a spring retreat to do a layout for, a PWOC rally to help coordinate, etc. I barely have time to do crafting!!! I did get a chance over last weekend to do another mirror using Graphic45's Communique line and I hope to make this into a class at Scrapdoodles. We shall see! Here are some teaser photos! I really do love this mirror and it turned out better than I had hoped and I hope you agree with me!

I am going to the Salem Baptist Crop this weekend so I hope to post all of the pages I did while there plus pictures of my Scrappin' Buds!

See ya later!

You are a Star mirror

2009-03-09T23:02:00.004-04:00

So here is another project I have made with Graphic45's awesome "Fashionista" line. I never grow tired of using their papers. I have to say congratulations to Natasha Pryma, a Scrapdoodles designer and teacher, for making it on the Graphic45 Design Team! Way to go!!!
It was so beautiful today that I couldn't help but be outside with the boys for most of it. They were really happy! They've been locked up in the house all winter long and they had A LOT of energy to burn! I also went back to PraiseMoves and my lower back is thanking me. I really recommend this ministry if you are interested in yoga but want to put Scripture to your work out. It is fantastic!!
See ya later!

Fashionista on a Jar

2009-03-02T18:59:00.005-05:00

I had a few of these jars lying around and I thought that Graphic45's Fashionista line would really make them look really hot! I love this line and the other new lines they have, Communique and Transatlantique! I think I have gushed over them before but hey, why not do it again! This was a fun project to do while it snowed incessantly outside! Hope everyone had a nice Monday!

Products Used:
Patterned Paper: Graphic45
Cardstock: Bazzill
Embellishments: Jenni Bowlin, Maya Road, and OneHundredWishes.com

***** They just added the project to the Graphic45 Gallery of Ideas!!!

Did you snag one????

2009-02-28T09:06:00.003-05:00

So the new Studio Calico kits and add-on kits went live last night at midnight and they are ALL SOLD OUT!!! I cannot believe that but I am new still to Studio Calico! Thank goodness I came to my senses and got a subscription this time so at least I am guaranteed the Main Kit every month. If you haven't checked out Studio Calico yet, please do. They have impeccable taste and you won't be disappointed!

Another question is, Did you pre-order your copy of Twilight Special Edition, yet??? I am doing it through Amazon so I don't have to leave the house with the boys to go get it. Always thinking ahead!

Well, enjoy your Saturday everyone! Stay warm if you live in a chilly place like I do!

Spring Notebook

2009-02-25T20:11:00.007-05:00

Here is a glimpse at an upcoming class project that I will be doing at Scrapdoodles. Isn't it this notebook just adorable?? I love the colors and how Springy it is!

Details:
Where: Scrapdoodles in Fredericksburg, VA
When: Wednesday, April 22nd @ 6:30pm
Cost: $16
What to bring: Light Brown Pigment Ink, Dark Brown Journal Pen, Pop Dots in Large and Medium, Paper Trimmer, Favorite Adhesive, Scissors

Graphic45 Frame

2009-02-22T21:16:00.004-05:00

I am IN LOVE with Graphic45's new paper lines (especially Fashionista!) and I didn't think any other line would be worthy of my Grandmother's picture but this one. I remember the first time I saw this picture when I was a little girl. I saw it and I thought that my Grandmother was a movie star. To me, she is a fashion icon!

Patterned Paper: GRAPHIC45
Cardstock: Bazzill Paper
Flowers: Prima Flowers
Button: Jenni Bowlin
Ribbon: Maya Road
Brads: Making Memories

It's Cold Outside!

2009-02-22T20:58:00.004-05:00

On Saturday I got to crop at Scrapdoodles with some friends and had a really great time although I was thoroughly exhausted from a PWOC mini retreat that I went to the night before. On this layout I wanted to do something really different from what I was used to. I finally got to use some of my vintage ephemera that I had been storing up for awhile. I love the colors and I especially love the snow pictures. Even though it was cold we had a great time that day!

Products Used:
Cardstock: Kraft by Bazzill
Patterned Paper: Sassafras Lass and October Afternoon
Brad: K&Company
Button: Jenni Bowlin
Vintage Ephemera: @home in Savannah, GA and The Lilypad from Etsy
Calendar: Maya Road
Letter Stickers: October Afternoon

BoBunny "All Roads Lead to Home" kit class!!!

2009-02-20T11:25:00.005-05:00

So here's my next class I will be teaching at Scrapdoodles! Very bright, isn't it??? This was a fun album to make and not very hard to put together as long as you pay attention to what you are doing!

BoBunny "All Roads Lead to Home" Album

Cost: $25.00
When: Wednesday, March 18, 2009 @ 6:30pm
Where: Scrapdoodles in Fredericksburg (click on post title and it will link you to the blog!)
What to Bring: Paper Trimmer, scissors and/or craft blade, glue dots, favorite adhesive, sandpaper, black ink, ink dobber (recommended!)

Call Scrapdoodles to sign up for the class...you can pay for the class over the phone too! I look forward to seeing you there on March 18th!!!!

Monkey Love

2009-02-20T11:18:00.003-05:00

One last little post with me and my Monkey! I got this cute button up shirt and sweater at Forever 21 for my birthday and wanted to show it off with my Gap pants and a super cute hat I've had for a few years now. We match don't we????

What I got for my birthday

2009-02-18T20:06:00.002-05:00

So, I just wanted to show everyone what my hubby got me for my birthday this weekend. Yes, I showed him what I wanted but I never thought he would actually buy me both the coat AND the boots! I LOVE them both so much. Click on the post title and you can visit the shop on Etsy, Salvage Life. Great shop!
Hope your week is going well. I plan on going to a Marathon crop this weekend as well as going to a PWOC mini retreat...fun fun fun!

Happy Valentine's Day

2009-02-14T10:22:00.003-05:00

I heart this coat!!!

Me and my Monkey! (yes, he answers to that in public!)

My Monkey bought me a monkey! Isn't he dashing??

The dress!

It was an early Valentine's Day for Ted and I. We went out last night and I got to wore the "Katherine Hepburn" dress I bought from Etsy! Ted also let me wear the adorable vintage green coat he got me for my birthday as well! We are sushi fanatics so he took me to Todai's which is a WONDERFUL place to eat. We had a LOT of sushi and they had the MOST delicious deserts there! Have you ever had a small square of cantalope cake??? Trust me it was GOOD! We ate so much in fact that Ted didn't feel up to a movie afterwards as we originally planned. It turned out fine though. We ended up snuggling in bed together and watching a romantic movie. Today, we are going to drive down to Chesapeake to get our kids back and celebrate my birthday on the 16th. I hope everyone has a Happy Valentine's Day!!!

Finally my Album is Done!!....Almost

2009-02-12T17:50:00.004-05:00

I said in a previous post that I was inspired to make an album from watching "My Fair Lady" a few weeks ago with an add on kit from Studio Calico. The problem was that printing my pictures from Winkflash was a little difficult. I finally had the pictures printed...all but a picture of me and my husband sharing a smoochie! Since Valentine's Day is coming up I am sure I can get one of those...wink, wink! These are just some of the pages of the album. You can check out the whole album on Two Peas in a Bucket. My member name is dismommy. Hope you all have had a nice week!

Products Used:
Album: Jennie Bowlin
Patterned Paper: Sassafras Lass, Studio Calico, Pink Paislee, Hambly Print (birdcage overlay)
Rub-ons: Jenni Bowlin
Embellishments: Kaiser, Sassafras Lass, Maya Road, Artyliscious, Glimmer Mist, Amy Butler, American Crafts, Making Memories

Birthday Card for my Poppy!!

2009-02-12T17:45:00.003-05:00

My Poppy and I share the same birthday, February 16th!!! I am so bad about getting cards out on time so I had to make this one quick to even hope that it will get there on time!

Products Used:

Card Stock: Bazzill
Patterned Paper: My Mind's Eye
Stamps: Maya Road, Imaginise
Ink: Stampin' Up, Colorbox, Le Plume Pens
Punch: Stampin' Up
Ribbon: American Crafts

My Parents and I

2009-02-07T10:52:00.003-05:00

Even though I have been battling pink eye with my little one and almost coming down with a cold myself, I still managed to do a layout featuring an old picture of my parents and I. This picture was taken when I was two at Big Bear, CA. It's one of my favorite pictures of the 3 of us. Everything I used was in my Kenner Road December kit. That was a great kit because it had a LOT of the Amy Butler line from K & Company. I love her stuff! Well....time to get off the computer and spend time with my hubby and kids! Have a great weekend!

Products Used:

Cardstock: Bazzill
Patterned Paper: Amy Butler for K&Company, Jenni Bowlin
Embellishments: Amy Butler for K&Company, Crate Paper, Kaiser

Yellow and Gray Challenge

2009-02-04T17:59:00.003-05:00

Moxie Fab World has a challenge using yellow and gray (click on post title and it will link you to the site). She shows some beautiful examples of this match made in heaven and it really got my creative juices flowing for a super cute card! I love how bright and cheerful the colors make you feel. He's a happy little bird, isn't he????

Products Used

Cardstock: Bazzill
Patterned Paper: American Crafts, Creative Imagination
Chipboard elements: Maya Road
Acrylic Paint: Heidi Swapp and Folk Art
Gems: Heidi Swapp
Stamp: Amy Butler for K & Company
Ink: Staz On

Two More Valentines!

2009-02-03T15:20:00.002-05:00

Boy, am I on a Valentine kick. I hope I can make my goal of making homemade Valentines for friends and loved ones this year! I am off to a decent start! I have been having trouble uploading pictures on to Winkflash to finish my My Fair Lady inspired mini book so I am trying Shutterfly at the moment. I like Winkflash because of their unique picture sizes. Shutterfly just does the typical photo sizes like the rest of the other photo printing companies. If anyone knows of someone that is better AND reliable for uploading your photos let me know please!!! Hope you all enjoyed the Super Bowl...that was actually exciting and I don't really like football! Go Steelers (that is for you Misha!)!

Products Used:

Owl Valentine
Patterned Paper: My Mind's Eye, Stampin' Up
Cardstock: Bazzill
Ribbon: American Craft
Stamp set: October Afternoon
Ink: Stampin' Up and Colorbox
Embellishments: Making Memories

You Rock Valentine
Patterned Paper: Sassafras Lass and Heidi Swapp
Stamp Set: Vintage Pop by Pink Paislee and Rusty Pickle
Ink: Staz On and Colorbox
Stickles

3 more Valentines

2009-02-01T15:44:00.002-05:00

I am trying to make home made Valentine's for family and friends this year! Wish me luck on finishing this project! I must hurry and post this because we have to leave in five minutes for a Super Bowl party!!! Hope you have had a wonderful weekend and I will catch ya later!!!

Products Used:

Valentine 1:
Cardstock: Recollections, Stampin' Up
Stamp: G Studios
Ink: Stampin' Up (Chocolate Chip)
Embellished Paper Clip: Making Memories

Valentine 2:
Cardstock: Recollections, Vellum
Background Stamp: Stampendous
Patterned Paper: Making Memories
Ribbon: American Crafts
Pen: Jelly Roll by Sakura

Valentine 3:
Cardstock: Bazzill, parchment paper from Williamsburg, VA
Patterned Paper: Stampin' Up
Stamp: Stampin' Up
Ink: Stampin' Up (Chocolate Chip, Ruby Red, Kiwi Kiss)
Twine from Williamsburg, VA
Button: Making Memories

1st page Layout

2009-02-01T15:38:00.004-05:00

I went to Camisha's house last night for a crop and it was a lot of fun getting out of the house on my own for a little while! Here is the layout that I did. This will be the first page of our 2008 scrapbook! I wanted to try and limit myself to using only what was in my Kenner Road December kit but I did use some Glimmer Mist. I love how the colors blend some beautifully. Hope you all enjoy the Super Bowl game!

Products Used:

Patterned Paper: Amy Butler for K& Company, Basic Grey
Flower: Prima Flowers
Glimmer Mist
Ribbon and K sign from Kenner Road December Kit

Today's Inspiration

2009-01-26T14:33:00.002-05:00

It is cold outside and starting to snow lightly so I don't really feel like going anywhere today. I have been saying that a lot lately! So after the typical house cleaning it is time for some crafting and a good movie to watch while doing it. I am making a mini album using an add on kit from Studio Calico and while I do it I am watching "My Fair Lady." I LOVE this movie. My mother showed this to me when I was very little and I was a strange child because I could watch this from start to finish since I was four. I love the style of this movie as well; the fashion, the flowers, and Audrey Hepburn of course! The music is awesome too...yes, that's right, I said awesome! Check back in later to see the results! Click on the post title if you want to check out the add on kit I used, Glossary, from Studio Calico.

My Valentine for my boys!

2009-01-25T14:22:00.002-05:00

Here is the Valentine I made for Sammy and Ben! Sammy already looked over my shoulder while I was making it and told me I was doing a good job. That's good enough for me!!! I love the Pink Paislee stamp sets because they are first, so darn cute, but second, because they are so versatile! I have seen their sneak peeks for CHA this weekend and I am in love already! Check out their blog if you haven't seen it yet! Well, it's Sunday and I have Endoftheweekenditis! Oh well, time to start a new week! Enjoy the rest of your day and catch ya later!

Products Used:

Cardstock: Bazzill
Patterned Paper: My Mind's Eye, K.I. Memories, 7Gypsies, Making Memories, and Amer. Crafts
Stamps: Pink Paislee, Rusty Pickle, and Studio G
Ink: Colorbox and Stampin' Up
Ribbon: American Crafts
Punch: EK Success