a new card

I fell madly in love with this paper set from Crate Paper this week. Now, the old me would have "saved" it for the perfect layout. Yes, every piece of it in case I needed them all. But the new me is using supplies and not afraid to start with a card. Go me!

This card uses Laura's Sketch 29 from 2s4u. When I peeked at the card on Monday, I saw a window instantly. Then when I found the Crate paper, I just had to put the adorable glittered squirrels inside. Thanks for the inspiration!




Gather Love by Dora Phillips. Supplies: Paper, Die cuts: Crate Paper, Flowers: Prima, Buttons: Making Memories.

Downtown

On July 1, we headed into downtown Naperville for an afternoon photoshoot. It was a chilly and overcast day--only 63 degrees for the high! I love the variety of backgrounds to be found in just a couple of blocks worth of walking.

Here is Zack hanging out in front of a painted mural brick wall:

Sidney decided to give me some of her "Tyra eyes". Think she watches enough America's Top Model? I think it is my fave of the whole shoot.


I wanted a classic teen pose from Lauren. She is so gorgeous that it is hard to get a picture where she looks her age instead of much, much older.

I love the way Allie tilts her head and smiles at me. This is definitely the look she gives most often--my happy girl.


One of our goals for this visit is to take lots of photos of mom with her grandbabies while they are all together. Don't they look darling?

Happy Birthday, Mom!

Mom flew in on her birthday to visit. It was her present to herself and not a surprise since I was holding all 4 of the grandkids hostage. After a couple of weeks with the nieces here, she was definitely needing some little kid hugs. She is staying 2 weeks with us--long enough to celebrate Zack's birthday and the 4th of July! Yay, us!

I took one look at Kazan's Sketch 29 from 2s4u and just couldn't think card for Mom's birthday. Instead, I thought mini album. With a crazy week, I wanted to make Mom an album, but I needed to do it quickly. This sketch was PERFECT. A few minutes with my circle punch, a sprinkle of glitter, and an old paintbrush and I was d0ne. It really was a 15 minute project.




Paintbrush Moments by Dora Phillips. Supplies: Paper, Diecuts: Crate Paper, Rub Ons: Sweetwater, Glitter: Martha Stewart, Tools: Fiskars Circle Punch, Scor-it, Other: Paintbrush.

Card Love

I still have a bit over a month until my 12th wedding anniversary (time flies!) but this week's sketch at 2s4u inspired me to make a bright and happy card for my darling husband. I love the way it turned out! Thanks, Laura.


Supplies: BasicGrey, Joann's, Theresa Collins, Making Memories.

But I did not stop there. I popped in on Kate Hadfield's blog and could not resist her Father's Day doodles. I just had to go hybrid and print them for some fun cards. A little glitter, a little bling, a little ribbon and these doodles are ready to go to the Dad's in my world.


Off to play some more! Have a great weekend!

A little woodsy walk

I am so excited to have my nieces, Lauren and Sidney, visiting for the first 6 weeks of summer vacation. Of course, I am not nearly as excited as Allie is to have her matching age cousin for the world's longest sleepover. They have decided to just be called "the nines" as they are a 9yo unit instead of 2 individual girls now. We are one week in and they could not be happier.

Lauren at almost 13 now is definitely different for me. After so many years of just little ones, a preteen brings some new experiences. It has been a long time since I have had anyone riding shotgun. I am used to climbing into the car, tossing my bags in the passenger seat, and looking over my shoulder to check on seat belts. Lauren is getting pretty good at catching those bags before they bop her. I am in awe of the total of songs on her ipod--pretty much every song on that pops on the radio inspires her to say, "I have this on my ipod" and she is correct. Also amazing is the speed her fingers can text. But it is also fabulous to have someone who wants to watch shows with me, scrapbook endlessly, and who is excellent at jumping in on the housework.

Zack could be the odd man out, but mostly he is enjoying himself. The girls all include him in their games and allow him to fetch things and push them on the swings. Fortunately for him, he is too young to realize those are not actual priviledges. This week is all about tooth loss for my little man. His front two teeth have been moving forward in anticipation of jumping ship for several weeks. We are certain they will be in the hands of the tooth fairy any time now.

We headed to the park in our subdivision for a nature walk and photo shoot. We loved seeing all the baby geese and ducks. Zack found a beautiful feather that he just would not let go of for anything. Here the kids are walking and running across the bridge over the creek.


After playing along the bridge, we stopped for some portraits. Lauren by the edge of the bridge:

The nines taking turns modeling in the crook of a tree:


And then Zack took his turn in the tree. He is refusing to smile until at least one tooth pops out since he insists that they poke his lips if he is happy. We are having way too much fun making him laugh even when he doesnt want to, but for this shot, he held firm.

More soon!

Monsterific

I have been dying to use this little monster from October Afternoon since it arrived, but I could not figure out what layout to use it on. You would think my kids would have done something naughty that I could photograph over the course of a couple of months, but the darn kids are on a good streak.

I had him pinned to my bulletin board waiting patiently and today he just looked so sad that I thought he would be perfect for a miss you card. I am so in love with him that it will be hard for me to send him along to a friend.

I used Kazan's Sketch 28 from 2S4U:


Supplies: Paper & Die Cuts: October Afternoon, Stickers: Making Memories, Chipboard: BasicGrey, Bling: Heidi Swapp.

Card Fun!

Cards have never been my specialty, but more of something I did with my scraps after making layouts. I am not sure if it is the lack of pictures that held me back or perhaps that I miss the storytelling aspect, but I tended to slap together cards as an afterthought.

But last month our magazine showroom item was the fabulous Scor-it. I started with a layout as is my usual style and I loved it. But then I needed to make a card. And after making it, I wanted to make another. And another. It was fun and I wanted to find new things I could do with this tool. Which led me to start googling blogs and asking my scrappy friends for recommendations. Right away they sent me to 2 Sketches 4 You. ooooh the inspiration!

So, now I can't seem to stop making cards and I have found that they can simply be fun! Bold & bright, soft & moody, earthy & green--I want to do them all!

I created this one from this week's sketch on 2 Sketches which also happens to be their 1st Annual 2 Sketches 4 You Ultimate Card Showdown. How fun!


Supplies: Cardstock: Bazzill Basics, Paper: BasicGrey, Bling: BasicGrey, Journal Card: Maya Road, Scallop: Pink Paislee, Pins & Flower: Jo Ann Essentials, Tool: Scor-it.

Technique: I used the Scor-it to emboss a square pattern on the cardstock. I love the extra dimension it brings to the solid layer.