Making Gifts for Life

Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Twins!

The weekend was exciting for my best friend and her hubby. They ended up having their twins early. And I got the pleasure of visiting with them yesterday. The babies are very cute little men. They are doing very well, thank goodness. So is my girl friend, although she is experiencing some headaches. I hope that gets better. If it were me, I would expect headaches for the next couple years. Ha! Just kidding.
Needless to say, I didn't get any scrapbooking done. I have a page sitting on my table that I am slowly working on. I will show you all later, what I have started. Right now, it's time for me to be on my way to work at the YMCA.

I hope you all have a great day. Smile bright like the sun, you might warm someone else's day while doing so!

Thursday, July 26, 2012

A day in the life....

A day in the life -
I made this page for my daughter. She is always concocting different outfits. And no one's opinion is valid but hers. She doesn't care what you think. I love that about her.
The chipboard dress form is from Dusty Attic. I absolutely love it. I added black tulle, as the dress, and then a lovely red polka dot bow as the belt.
The papers are from the MME Lost & Found 2 stack.
The vintage looking bookplate is from Tim Holtz. The red flowers are Recollections. And the file clip is from my stash of scrapbooking supplies that I am trying to use up, let me tell you, it's gonna be a long time before I am out of stuff.



 Here is a close up on the dress form. I wish you could see the tulle better, I cut it to look like a dress, but it's hard to capture it with the camera.











Here is a close up of the vintage bookplate. I love these. They are so pretty and they make perfect title holders.


Wednesday, July 25, 2012

Today is my daughter's birthday

Happy Birthday Pooh -
This is a pic she took with her phone. Then she added the saying and heart. (Does she know that this could be the start of her scrapbook crafting? lol)
Today, 14 years ago, my water broke, and nothing happened, around two o'clock I went to the hospital, still nothing. They induced me, still nothing, then your little heart stopped. But that didn't stop you, you came into this world, on your own terms, and you weren't about to be rushed. Same thing goes for today, you take your time, you don't like being rushed and you do everything dead last, your homework, your chores and even getting out of bed (especially in the summer). But I don't mind, my little sleeping beauty, you live the life you want, I am just here to guide you and make sure no one hurts you. I love you more then my words can ever say. You are a wonderful person, with the most beautiful smile I have ever seen. You light up my life, when you aren't home because you are at a friend's house, I miss you like crazy. I want you to know that I think you are amazing. You are beautiful. You are unique in every way. I love you my little pooh bear, and I know you are probably too old for that nick name, but you will always be my pooh bear, no matter how old you get. I love you sweet girl, I hope you have a wonderful day.

Now if I could just get you out of bed......

Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Senior Pictures

Well, yesterday we did a trial run for senior pictures. But being as it was hotter then heck outside, I didn't expect too much. I was happily surprised, when I ended up getting alot of good shots. Even though it was very sunny and we were sticking to everything we touched. LOL!
The kids did a great job putting up with me and they didn't complain as much as they could have, so all in all it was a good day of shooting.
This is Samantha, my son's girlfriend. She is a natural when it comes to posing, and I think this is one of my favorites of her. I didn't do any editing on this photo yet, it's in the raw form and I have to say it's pretty perfect.

I want to thank you to the kids, they let me take their pictures yesterday, and I am sorry it was so hot, but you all did a great job. We will go out again soon when it's cooler.

Thank you for viewing my blog. Have a great day.

Monday, July 23, 2012

Back to School

Back to School Layout -
I love this paper by Paper Loft. It's the "Dude" paper line and the color are so very masculine. It's perfect for a jump start on my son's last year of high school, first day of school page. I wanted his page to be great, and this layout turned out really good, it's even better in person. The swirls and circles at the bottom of the page were the inspiration for the rest of the page. I wanted to keep the flow going to the photo (when I place one there). I happened to have some stamps that were pretty close to the design on the page. Thanks to Fancy Pants and Inkadinkadoo. After I stamped and cut all the extra circles out. I went on the hunt, in my scrapbooking supplies for some embellishment that would work with the page. And I found it! The back to school metal embellishment is made by We R Memory Keepers. And the colors were perfect. Then I knew what this page was going to be for. Even though I am sad his last year of high school is here, and that means he will be moving on with the next phase of his life. I am proud to be the mom of such a great man. And I hope that his last year of high school is a great one. I want him to have wonderful memories to look back on.

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Have a wonderful day.

Saturday, July 21, 2012

Good Dream Secrets

Good Dream Secrets -
I know weird title. But it works for my daughter. She has some good dreams and I am pretty sure there are some that are secrets, that I am not aloud to know. I like this page. It was made using the My Mind's Eye Lost and Found 2 collection. I really like this line of papers. They are vintage looking and have the two colors I like lately, teal and mustard yellow.
I cut the yellow sun using the Slice machine by Making Memories. It is two flowers layered on top of each other, inked with darker yellow ink around the edges.
I am trying to use things in my stash that I haven't used lately. I am trying to do it at least once, every other layout or so. So on this one, I used really old letter brads. I don't think I ever used these and if I did, I don't remember. They are a pain. lol
If you would like dimensions of everything, so that you can make this page, please use the comment section of my blog and I will post the dimensions for you.

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Have a blessed day.

Friday, July 20, 2012

Bride and Groom

Bride and Groom -
Hopefully my cousin and his new wife don't see this before they receive it in the mail. But this is the gift that I made for them, for their wedding. I love it.
The frame is from Dusty Attic. The coral/orange flowers are Prima and the small white blooms are from Recollections. The green sprigs are just out of the flower bin, at AC Moore. And all the die cuts were made using my Slice machine, made by Making Memories. And lastly the pearls, are made by Queen and Co.
I hope they like this. It took me longer then expected because I had to find flowers that were close to their bridesmaids dresses and I really didn't know where I was going with the layout. It has been sitting on my desk for some time, and I have been rearranging things again and again, not liking it. I have to say, this came out better then I hoped for. I love my cousin, Pete, and I am so happy he found Heather. He is such a sweetheart and they are great together. I wish them a long happy life together.

Wednesday, July 18, 2012

Love you with all my heart

Love you with all my heart -
I used the My Mind's Eye Stella and Rose paper collection for this layout. And when I needed a button for the middle of my butterfly, I happened to have one that matched perfectly in my scrapbook stash (imagine that!). I cut the three arrows and the banner with the slice machine. I used the Zutter distressing machine to distress the edge of the white paper. All the butterflies are Studio Calico wood veneer covered in matching papers and the edges were sanded using the file set from Basic Grey.

I printed the photo in black and white, so that the colors in it wouldn't clash with the papers.

I used various different acrylic stamps to get the saying "Love You with all My" and the word "Heart" is on the button, on the butterfly.

Simple page, it did require some time to do, because of the butterflies and the sanding. But other then that, the page should take about 30-45 minutes after the selection of papers. I say after because that always takes the longest time, for me anyway (and my BFF).


Tuesday, July 17, 2012

My Nessa...

My Nessa -
This layout was made using My Mind's Eye Stella and Rose paper collection. I love this papers. They remind me of when I was little for some reason, and old cookbooks. Not sure why, but I really like them and the benefit from having papers from one line, they all coordinate. The flowers are made by Spare Parts, they can be found at Hobby Lobby. The chipboard is from Dusty Attic, I made this layout for their July Sketch Challenge. I used the Crop a Dile corner rounder to round the corners of my photo, journaling spot, corner piece and two paper strips. I cut the background paper with a exacto knife then using a paint brush dipped in water I rolled the paper to give a ripped, aged look. I tied some twine over the rips to add interest.

The picture on this layout is of my darling daughter when we went on our photo shoot, she is so gorgeous. I love that smile!

Monday, July 16, 2012

Junior Prom

Junior Prom -
A 12 x 12 layout that starts with a light color background, it can be any color in case you want to make a boy page (which this one turned out to be anyway, I had started making this for my daughter, but when I saw the picture of my son and his gf going to the prom, I knew that this was for them). Then you need a 9 x 9 piece of white cardstock, before you adhere it down, use the back side as a mask for your stamping, put it in place with temporary adhesive, then select the line stamp you are going to use, stamp around the perimeter, then turn to the right side and secure the cardstock down with permanent adhesive. Cut the gray polka dot paper to 8 x 8, ink with white ink all around the outside, and leave to dry. Make a flourish with white cardstock (I used my Slice machine and a new card called Bravissimo). Also I cut one 2 x 8 inch strip of white cardstock and used the Martha Stewart Vintage Lace border punch, for the strip under the photo, adding a hot pink thin ribbon. For the flowers, I used the white ones for the Spare Parts line, but they had light yellow centers, so I chalked them with pink chalk and added pearls in the centers. I made 5 leaves with white cardstock and a Close to My Heart leaf stamp. I tied pink tulle in a bow and glued that under the flowers petals. To finish off the page I cut two decorative frames out of white cardstock and stamped the smaller one with the "love you" sentiment, added hot pink stickles around the outside to define it.

My son looked so handsome going to his prom, Sam his lovely girlfriend is a sweetheart and she was stunning in her hot pink and zebra print dress. Boy is it tough to see him grow up so fast, as their limo drove away that night, I cried like crazy, one more year and he is out of high school and moving on with his adult life. That makes me happy because I know he has a wonderful future ahead of him, he is an amazing man, but on the other hand, our time seems like it was so short. It doesn't feel like I had him 17 years ago. I just hope we always stay as close as we are right now. I love him to pieces, he will always be my little man, no matter how much taller then me he gets.

Saturday, July 14, 2012

Amore' -
This is a 12 x 12 layout, that is pretty simple to complete. One 9.5 x 9.5 black square of black cardstock, plus one 9.25 x 9.25 newspaper print patterned paper, mounted on a 12 x 12 piece of white cardstock, starts your base for this layout.

Cut eight 3 x 2.75 black rectangles, and then find eight different pattern papers that go together, and cut 2.625 (or 2 5/8) x 2.8.75 (or 2 7/8). For the photo frame cut one 3 x 4 piece of black cardstock.

After that all that is needed is three hearts cut, two red and one white, plus one white circle. And thread to the middle of a red button and glue to the middle of the white heart.

To finish off the layout, all you need is one black flower, some ribbon or thread and two brads of your choice.

Our Son

Our Son Layout -
I love this layout. Mainly because of the goofy picture of my son. He can sometimes be such a ham. Other times, very photo shy. But I guess when your mom is always trying to take your photo, it can get annoying.

Can be a quick layout if you work fast. 12 x 12 base, with eight different pattern papers. Scrap paper that you have been hoarding and waiting to use is great to use for this layout. The big banners are 1.5 inches wide, the two smaller banners are 1 inch wide and the smallest banner is 3/4 inch wide. You need seventeen 1.5 inch banners in various different patterns, if you want to do 20 different patterns you can. It depends on what you choose. Then you need two banners in the 1 inch size and one banner in the 3/4 inch size. You need one 1 inch strip of chevron patterned paper and one 1/2 inch piece of patterned paper. Also cut one 2 inch star and add a brad in the center. The title box size is really up to you, I monkeyed with mine a little due to the fact, I really wanted to use the stamp that I did, to make it.


Thursday, July 12, 2012

So this is what I made out of those supplies

Adore -
12 x 12 layout, of my pitbull that looks like a piggy (a little bit). I used the 3 pieces of patterned paper, then three pieces of scrap paper, to make the round scalloped piece and the two straight scallop pieces. I added ribbon, for a hint of softness and flowers that I made by layering some prima flowers and coloring stems I bought in the wedding section at Michael's. I used a mustard color sharpie to color the stems. I wanted them to match my second paper in (but if you can't tell it is mustard colored). I left the dusty attic chipboard "naked". And to finish off the layout I added a little bling.

I hope you like what I came up with.
Enjoy your day, I am off to scrapbook with my BFF.

Wednesday, July 11, 2012

The start of something....

Hi ya'll. Summer is happening fast and time is flying by. I am going to be doing some scrapbook pages tomorrow!!!! My BFF is coming over and we are going to scrapbook all day, while the hubbies are working. I know, I know, not fair. But to be honest I work two jobs 10 months out of the year, so the 7 weeks of summer that I am only working one job is like heaven. Although money can be tight at times, it's only 7 weeks, right?

So here is the start of one page I am working on. Three pieces of patterned paper, a picture and a dusty attic chipboard piece. Let's see what I come up with.


It's of one of my pitbulls, his name is Dante. I never thought I would be a person that owned one pitbull, much less two. But let me tell you, they both have opened my eyes to their world and how misinformed people are about them. For most of my life I have owned german sheppards, and even though I have been bitten by three of them, I still love them dearly.... I am a die hard dog lover. But my two pitbulls are more kind then any of the german sheppards I owned, and I am not saying that because I am in love with these two puppies, even though I am, I am being honest. They love me and my family so much, sometimes when we leave for even a little bit, they break our heart with the missing you cry that they do. Pitbulls love to be around their "people", their family. They are protective and oh so loving. In ancient times, they were used to guard babies!!! Hello people, if they can guard newborns, they aren't a mean spirited animal. Some owners teach them to be. And now I will get off my soap box. Ha, ha. I am deeply in love with these dogs, they are two of my best furry pals, we cuddle at night on the couch, run through the house and backyard together and even fold clothes together. But I do have one other furry pal, she is getting up in years but she is also a dog, a lhasa apso to be specific, and she is a spitfire, even though she is 13 years old. She is my #1, and the love of my life (besides my husband and kids). I will do a page with her soon, so you can meet her.

I hope your summer is treating you well and I hope you are having many adventures. Feel free to tell me about them in the comment section, I would love to hear from you all.

Have a blessed day and love one another <3.

Friday, July 6, 2012

Too Cool....

OK! So it's been awhile. I am sorry about that. Life kind of got away from me lately and I have been so busy with working part time crazy hours, while school is out, that I haven't updated my blog. We are in the middle of staining the deck, which we dismantled first (just the railings). But since I haven't really had time to scrapbook, I will share a layout I did previously with my daughter in it. And I just love the look of it.

Too Cool -
I used different size hole punches to do the corners, 4 different sizes. Then I backed just the corners with another paper. I tore the bottom of a 10 x 12 piece of patterned paper to make it about 10 x 10. Printed out three photos, matted them on white cardstock and then added a cardstock border at the bottom. Cut the title out of scrap paper that I had laying around, and added a journaling tag.
Simple layout, and very clean.







Now that we are in the swing of summer and I pretty much have hours scheduled at my part time job while the school I work at is out for recess, I should be able to get back to creating. I really need to clean my craft room, it's a darn mess, it becomes a dumping site when I don't feel like putting stuff away. Stuff can mean anything from ads, to bills and art supplies. LOL. But that will happen on a rainy day when I am not working. I am not in a hurry to clean.