Preschool

Supplies : Paper by Basic Grey, Scenic Route; Thickers and Button Flair by American Crafts; Tree and numbers elements by My Minds Eye; Red Alphas by Scenic Route; Cardstock from LSS

Another page on kraft paper! Here are a few more photos of her very first day going to school. I had take so many of her that day, and it was hard to get really good ones since for the most part she just wanted to go and not have any pictures taken. This year I've been a little lazy about getting my photos. Because I knew it would be crazy that first day I didn't take my camera for pictures yet. This last week I took Caitlyn's first day of Kindergarten pictures, even though they technically weren't taken on the first day. I don't think it matters too much though, as long as it was around the same time. I'm so glad for the weekend now. I play the chauffer all week with Caitlyn and Paul since we have just the one car and it's so nice to not have to be anywhere today. I'm totally going to be vegging out as much as possible! Have a spectacular Saturday and thanks for visiting!

Uncertain

Supplies : Paper by Scenic Route; Ribbon by May Arts; Flowers by Prima; Thickers and button flair by American Crafts; Red Alphas by Scenic Route; Brad by Basic Grey; Bracket by My Minds Eye; Cardstock by CTMH

I'm finally getting around to doing Caitlyn's very first school pictures. These were back in Dec of 2007 when she first started preschool. While she was mostly excited to go to school there was a moment when we were walking to the car that she was suddenly unsure of going. I think it was because she would be leaving Audrey behind and she's been Caitie's wingman since she could walk. There has been very little that Caitlyn has done where Audrey wasn't far behind. But just starting to mention the fun stuff she would do, Caitlyn got excited again and had a blast at school that day. I thought it was sweet though, that she was hesitant for just that small moment. Thanks for stopping by and have a fabulous Friday!

Closed Caption

Supplies : Paper by Basic Grey; Remarks letter stickers by American Crafts; Fox Brad by Imaginescence; Brad by Basic Grey; Flowers by Prima; Ribbon by CTMH; Cardstock from LSS;

Audrey is so funny. Whenever she gets scared while watching a show she covers her ears and keeps on watching. It doesn't matter if the scary part (which usually isn't scary, even to Cait) is on her favorite series - Avatar the last Airbender, or on a video game that Paul is playing like Mass Effect, she always does the same thing, just covers her ears. I think it's so cute. Here she was looking extra darling in Cait's PJ pants and Paul's hat. I've been loving kraft cardstock lately. It's such a great neutral and gives an earthy feel to layouts. I wish it was more available here. There's only one store I've found that has this nice shade of kraft and often times it's sold out when I go to get more so I have to stock up when I do find it there. Enjoy the page and have a wonderful Wednesday!

Don't Smile

Supplies : Paper - June Bug by Basic Grey, Scenic Route; Remarks letter stickers and Button flair by American Crafts; Ribbon by May Arts; Flowers by Prima; Heart Chipboard Border by CTMH; Pearl Brads by Recollections; White gel Pen; Cardstock from LSS

I swear Audrey makes the best grumpy faces ever. I can't even photograph them all since most of the time now she's such a camera ham. Her stern brows, pursed lips, and that mad little voice.... she really just can't help being cute even when she's a grouch! Lately I've been wanting to try doing more 'condensed' layouts. I love seeing those pages where the gals have taken a sketch and kind of shrunk the whole thing to fit in just a portion of the page. There's just something about the cluster and white space that pulls me in. So with the pages I made on Sunday that's what I tried. I really like this one, though I'm still getting used to the black. Everytime I see it on other layouts I love how it makes everything stand out. Like in this layout, I love that the papers, title, and picture just pop out. I'm just so used to lighter backgrounds though, that the reverse kind of takes me off guard. Anyway, enjoy the page and have a happy Tuesday!

Got Vellum?

This week the challenge on Practical Scrappers is how to use vellum. I have to say that even though this one has been the most challenging for me so far it was also one of the most fun. I stuck with winter pages because I loved these pictures and have been wanting to scrap them with something fun. And vellum just happened to be the fun for them!

Create a scene! I made some snowy vellum hills overlaying my stripe paper and sewed it in place. I used pinking scissors to edge the vellum snow and then to cut a decorate mat for two of the snowflakes. Tear, paper piece, or simply cut curves in your vellum to create a backdrop scene for your layout. Don't stop with snow either; make water, clouds, rain drops, foggy winter windows, etc. Got colored vellum? Make leaves for a tree or just use like you would cardstock for a lighter layered effect. You can also use vellum to soften bright papers. Have a plaid that's too dark? Lay some vellum over it for a lighter page or use vellum over fun bright papers for a baby layout.

Keep it simple! Sometimes I just can't find the right shade of cardstock to match my page. Here I used vellum to mat my pictures to create a very simple rustic snow layout on dark kraft paper. Use vellum to create shades on monochromatic pages or to mat a picture when you can't find cardstock to match. Love clean layouts? Vellum adds interest without adding colors, almost like texture. Vellum looks great plain or if you love the home spun look adding a hint of stitching can really make a statement! Tip : When sewing make sure to put adhesive closer to the center of your vellum piece so that the needle doesn't get stuck and tear your vellum.


Texturize it! Here I crumpled up my vellum snowflakes to give them more presence on the layout. Crumple or emboss vellum to make it stand out more on a page. It's easier if you cut or punch out your vellum before crumpling. Try dry embossing a ghost with a swirl pattern, or add some dots to mini clouds. I hope you're inspired by some of these fun ideas on how to use vellum! Check out the Practical Scrappers Blog for more examples on how to use vellum. Enjoy and have a great Monday!

Have a Sparkly Christmas

Supplies : Papers - Snowed in by My Minds Eye; Stickles; Kaliedascope Embossing Powder; Rhinestone;

Thanks Alanna and Karen for your wonderful comments! I love hearing what my readers think especially about real life and I'm glad to know I'm not the only mom that feels this way about time! I did get some play time in today. Not as much as I hoped, but more than I've had all week :D I made a quick and pretty card for today's challenge. I keep finding ways to use these birds. These pieces are from the pattern paper now since I only have one little tag left with this robin on it. The sentiment mat is embossed with glitter powder, you can't see it very well in the photo, but that distressed color change around the edge is all shimmery! The bird cage was also outlined in stickles for more sparkle and I added a tiny rhinestone to the muted snowflake for a small accent. I love the simplicity of the card and the sparkle just makes it extra special! Don't forget to visit Sparkle's Blog for the challenge and other cards and thanks for stopping by! Have a wonderful night!