Happy Birthday Bryant!!!

My baby turns twelve today!

Scrappy Happy

Yay! My Studio Calico Story Hour kit finally arrived. It was a bit delayed per UPS, but it is here now. I have already created one layout and I have 2 more in progress. My first layout with Story Hour is below. One of the cool ideas I got from Amy Tan in the stretch your kit class was to scrap a collage photo. I order these all the time and often have them framed on my desk. I never thought to scrap them, but what a cool idea to get multiple pics on a layout. I also like the new trend of 'confetti' on layouts. It is such a cool fun look. This layout is all about our trip to Boston last year for the Red Sox opening weekend. We went to the second game of the season (not quite opening day). A great time was had by all!

A new idea book/magazine started in January. The issues are specific to one artisist. When I heard about these last year, I subscribed right away. The first issue is all about the fabulous Teresa Collins

.My issue just arrived yesterday. Yes, a bit late, but that is a story for another time. This issue is awesome and filled with amazing projects. I am look forward to future issues featuring Donna Downey, Kelly Purkey, Heidi Swapp, etc. You can check it out HERE 

Happy Scrappin'!!!

...and even more...

...Stretch Your Kit layouts. I think these may be the last ones, because there are really just bits and pieces left of this kit. So sad, but my new Studio Calico kit (finally) arrived yesterday. It is awesome! I can't wait to create with it! In the meantime here is a layout I did with some of the pretty backsides of the paper. The colors of the Boardwalk kit were mint, lime, cream, white, khaki, but the backsides had some fun pink, blue and brown. So I created this girly page. I made some fun hand cut embellies. I handstitched. I used acrylic paint and I scrapped pics of me. A fun, colorful girly layout. So fun!

This is a layout about my son, Bryant's new Winter coat. Our Winter has been so non existent here in New England, that I almost did not even buy him a new coat this year.I say almost, because I could not pass up the awsome deal on this cool grey with lime striping snowboarders coat I saw at Sears after Christmas. It was a steal, but I did not know if he would get a chance to wear it this year. That is until it snowed last week, He got to wear it one day and now we are back up in the 50 and 60 degree temps. It did really make for some fun pictures and a great layout:

Class was fun, but it is over. I am looking forward to the next one, which is Kelly Purkey's Sketch 4 class. So much scrappy inspiration. Come play along. Class starts April 1st over at Studio Calico.

Happy Scrappin'!!!

...and more 'Stretch Your Kit' fun, plus my blog hop winner!

One of the challenges for the Stretch Your Kit class was to recycle an item of mail. Whether it be junkmail, a sales flyer, etc. Just be creative. I chose to use the tiny padded envelope that the earrings I ordered from etsy came in:

I used more scraps from my Studio Calico Boardwalk kit and made a cute little mini book. Here is the front cover:

Inside I used kraft paper for the pages and more colorful scraps for the page tabs. The little book is all ready for pics and journaling:

Here is the whole cover, front and back. I stitched all around the edges and also used Sass paper edges on my binding. Just a bit of color pop. Fun!

I decided to treat myself with the March Studio Calico kit, It has been a while. It's called Story Hour. Love the color combo. Good boy colors.  I think it will be great for some fun Bryant layouts. Ha!

The blog hop over at Let’s Scrap is over. So many beautiful cards were made. I loved them all! But, alas, only one person can win. So without further ado, my winner is:

Andrea Green

Look at the beautiful card she made:

Congratulations Girl!

Enjoy your RAK!

Happy Scrappin'!

Stretch Your Kit-Part 2

I have to say, that I really am getting alot out of this kit. That kit being Studio Calico's Boardwalk kit. So glad I finally cracked it open. I have been having so much fun. Here are a couple more layouts that I did with it. The pic of Bryant in this particular layout, I took last Fall. Just an everyday pic, but he looked so cute that I had to do something with it. Right? The pretty Sass cloud paper made the perfect background and all the green cut up strips (along with a bit of kraft) made the perfect frame. I also cut out some of the star flowers  from the Basic Grey paper for jus a littlle something extra. I loved the result!

Another one of my favorite things from the class is how Amy and Jen J use lots of colored strips on their layouts. I saw this loose weaving idea in a magazine and thought that I would give it a try. I also wanted to use the lime bakers twine and brads that came with the kit, so I created a little frame around the main photo. Bryant bought a little tree bud home a few years ago and he and his Nana planted it next to our home. It continues to grow a little bit every year.. We look forward to years from now when it is a big strong tree.

Oh!

This post would not be complete with out Mama's favorite meow.

It has been like having another kid

and

I love him so!

Happy Scrappin'!!!

Stretch Your Kit

  BLOG HOP 

One more day!

I love color combo pallettes. Especially ones that come with a photo for inspiration. I find a lot of great ones on Pinterest. I am not sure where I found this one, but it drew me in. Or maybe it was the pic of Marilyn. I don't know, but I loved it.

 Then last Summer Studio Calico came out with this beautiful kit called Boardwalk. It was perfect. I loved it. I had to have it. Then I did what a lot of us scrappers do, I hoarded it. It was so pretty and I had big plans for it, but then it just sat in my stash. Well, until now that is. For the month of February I have been taking Amy Tan (& friends!) 'Stretch Your Kit' class over at Studio Calico. It has been awesome! They are actually using The January kit, but I am using this one. I have created so many projects with it so far and I am also collecting so much inspiration.

The pics in the layout below have been just waiting to be scrapped. I met some great new friends at Teresa Collins' Inspiration Unlimited event in Vegas last year ( I can't wait to see them all again this year. Teresa too!) Anyways, I got some great pics of us all and I wanted to always remember the fun we had.

One of the cool things from the class that I tried on this layout was Kelly Goree's idea of using little rolls of scraps. I really like how it looks behind my title.

I also liked Jen Jocksich's idea to use lots of tiny scraps. It really really looks so cool and colorful.. It really made the pics of my kitty 'pop'. He likes to be everywhere that mama is. Yup, he loves mama. Ha!

This class has been so fun and I have gotten so many cool ideas. I have a few more ideas to share. Even more to create. Yes, there is still a bit more of the kit left. Woo Hoo!

Happy Scrappin'!!!

Treating Myself

We don't really 'celebrate' Valentine's Day in our house. Meaning we don't buy gifts on just that day. It really is just another day. That doesn't mean I can't love me, myself and I by buying some things that make me happy, right? I thought I would share a few things that I have treated myself to lately....

I came across the the coolest new scrapbook magazine at my local Barnes & Noble last.month. It is called Scrap 365. I loved that it was fresh new artsy styles from people that I had never heard of. There are so many creative people out there, but it always seems to be the same people on DT's and being published. Don't get me wrong, they are all very talented, it is really nice to see some fresh faces (at least to me). It is a little price-y, but I am worth it!

I found this cute little basket on clearance at Michael's. It brightens my desk and makes me smile

I recently saw a give-away on Shimelle's blog for these sweet earrings. Alas, I did not win, but I did check out their etsy shop and I had to buy these:

I love happy mail! You can check out their etsy shop for all kinds of cute earrings.

Speaking of happy mail, these awesome Supahfans shirts finally arrived from my friend Kevin's Boston store. Better late than never, right? I am bummed about the Superbowl loss, but I still love my Pats!

Check out what is new from Tim Holtz! Ranger Ink Distress Markers! They are so cool! I already pre-ordered them:

And boy do I love this little guy. I know I did not necessarily buy him, but he has been a true gift to our family.  Even when he is being a pain in the butt.. I mean really, look how cute he is...

Still got a a few crafty things in the works.

The Let's Scrap Blog Hop is still going strong.

There is lots of time to still play along.

I am also working on some layouts for the Amy Tan/Studio Calico Stretch your Kit class.

I have also finally got my hands on some new scrappy goodies, that I can not wait to play with.

Happy Scrappin'!!!