Sweat Pea

Now this is a one cute veggie. This is Sam. My first great-nephew.

 

I love this picture. It was a joy to create a layout to document this little Sweet Pea at four weeks old.

 

 

The sketch was one from the Paper Secrets August challenge, created by Kelly Holifield. The "Twist" in the challenge was to use items that would form the work "SWIM". It's not as easy as it sounds but I did it. 

S = string

W = wooden "Darling" embellishment

I = ink

M = multi-shot photo

 

I had a lot of fun embellishing this page. My biggest challenge was the wooden word. Just so you know....take it off very very slowly! Gluing it back together isn't all that easy. The string complemented the second matting behind the picture and the button was the perfect colour. The little kraft flowers were handmade and delicate. On two of them, the center bead was removed and replaced by a metal brad that matched the colour of the little animals on the paper ribbons.

Grandfather

Grandfathers are a blessing. They are always willing to share their heart and hard found knowledge. When  a grandchild is the recipient of that time and knowledge, both are fortunate to share a wonderful gift.

 

Richard and his Grandfather worked hard to repair and enhance a second-hand boat and motor recently. It was spending time together that they each enjoyed the most, although, getting a well finished boat and motor into the water was pretty enjoyable too.

 

 

I loved this paper from Moxxie. They built the title right into the layout for me.

 

The sketch I used is the August 15th on from Stuck?!  and created by Laura Whitaker.

By the way, there's still a few days left to get your layout in the running for the draw.

 

 

 

Bubbles

Every child loves bubbles and Liam is no exception.

 

You can see the fun and determination on his face as he goes for the most bubbles with one big blow.

 

 

 

I used the August 4th sketch from  Let's Get Sketchy, created by Brenshevia, and combined it with the August Colour Challenge from Scrapmuch? There's still time to enter layouts on both sites so grab a photo and 'have at it'.

 

 

 

 

My favourite embellishment is the crocheted flower my daughter Erica-dorine made. I added some button and twine to complete the daisy. While I was working she made me an inventory of them so you'll see other colours used in future layouts.

 

A little stitching in complementary rayon threads so there's that bit of shine just like the bubbles and some Silhouette cut files and the record of Liam's bubble blowing was complete.

 

 

DIY (Don't Injure Yourself)

They say there's no better test of character than assembling something large and involved. When you have the kids helping the character building aspect must double.

 

These two characters look to have found another use for power tools. They've more a weapon than tool kind of take on the equipment. Thankfully it was all in fun.

 

It was stressful but the shed got built. There were the usual little things that the instructions didn't tell you:

a) you need lots and lots of coffee;
b) maybe the instructions aren't always right;
b) you need bandages (a dozen or so); and
c) when you see pieces left over, don't sweat it, toss them in the trash.

 

The sketch was fun to work with. It's sketch #62 from Sketch~N~Scrap. They have a lot of great sketches on their site. Slide over and check it out.

 

Many thanks to my scrapbooking guru Danie for somehow creating sawdust using paper and scissors. It looks so lifelike.

 

Graduation 2014

My 'Beff Fend' Joaquin is 5 years old and graduated from SK this year.

 

I had a lot of fun making this page to celebrate his achievement.

 

 

Let's Capture Our Memories, Sketch #83, created by Ana Castro, was perfect for my paper. You can join this challenge using one of your photos that are sitting waiting to be scrapped.

All I had to do was add some red stitching, Silhouette cut files and grab my pencil crayons and do a little spelling, writing and arithmetic, and I was done.

Take me out to the ball game!

Huntsville Charity Baseball Tournament

September 29, 2013

It was a great day for baseball. The sun was shining and the players were enthusiastic. No, not enthusiastic in competitive way. It was to be a day of fun baseball for charity and fun it was!

There were as many laughs as there were hits. Actually, if I'm honest, there were way more laughs than hits. I never got tired of watching the antics.

The kids were riot to watch as they worked through their roster of games.

The sketch for this layout is the August 1st challenge sketch from Stuck?!, created by Laura Whitaker. Go to the Stuck?! site and take a challenge. It's fun to try and win  a prize.

 

 

 

The embellishments from the paper line I used; graphics 45 - Good Ol' Sport Collection, were all I needed to finish the page.

Let 'em Eat Cake

There are some pretty simple rules for birthdays at my house.

1. You have to wear whatever horrible hat or head piece your mother made for you.
2. You get to pick your own dinner menu.
3. If you're Richard and it's your birthday, you still have to cook dinner. (He's a great cook and our official Birthday cook.)
4. Mom gets to take as many pictures as she wants or she holds your gift hostage.

I thought Richard looked rather dashing in his silver glitter top hat wrapped in a Hawaiian lei.

 

He had a different opinion mind you, but he took it well.

The sketch is another great one by Laura Whitaker. You get the sketch at Scrapmuch? The double layouts are published at the first of each month. They are so great when you want multiple pictures incorporated into one layout.

If you use this layout and link it up in August on Scrapmuch?, you'll be entered into the monthly draw for a prize. Give it a try!

 

A few embellishments and it all came together.

Being a more traditional scrapper, I had to have one of the flowers from his hat incorporated into the layout. That and a bottle cap, to commemorate the party atmosphere, got it to exactly what I wanted it to look like.

 

Domino Night

Scrapbooking enthusiasts always want to scrapbook anything that makes them happy.

One of the layouts I was looking forward to doing was  "Domino Night".

Each month my friends Laura, Linda, and I, get together for dinner, dominoes and a little, and maybe a little bit more, wine. Tonight is one of those nights so there's no better post for today's blog

My layout is divided into two sections. The lower was meant to tell the story of our gathering for play. The upper section is to represent just what the table might look like during game play, including the wine glasses, and also provided a place for my journaling.

The toughest job was cutting the blasted plastic train in half so that the table would have a game piece. Thankfully Danie suggested a hack saw, and although all I could find was the blade, it worked and I had my game piece.

 

DOMINO NIGHT

 

The Fancy Pants ticket, tag and button provided everything I needed for journaling.

 

 

I loved all the embellishments I was able to find that related to the game and our evening.

 

The sketch was one from Scrapmuch?, created back in March by Laura Whitaker. I have used this sketch twice now. It's a really great one for we 'story teller' type scrappers.

 

Summer Adventures

I’ve made a start on scrapbooking our Summer Vacation. I’m about a year ahead of normal in this particular endeavour. Maybe I’m turning over a new leaf. Nah. That's not likely.

Every day was an adventure during our time away. For Richard though it always tended to involve being up at the break of dawn and his boat and fishing tackle.

 

The layout shows Richard, in his trusty boat, The Beast, bow set on a heading for “Man Down Bay”. He's off in search of a fish big enough to win him retained custody of the; 

“Annual Law Family Vacation Fishing Derby” trophy.
 

All the bright yellow and the sun seemingly rising, made this kit perfect for the beginning of the vacation story. It's one of my (many) favourite kits from Scrapmuch?  
Check them out.
I promise you there's something for every picture in your "Yet to Scrap" library.
 

  
 

Really? I'm Published!

WOW!  

 

 I'm thrilled to have been published in

Let's Get Sketchy
 

"Inspired" Magazine Issue 4

 

 

Being published for the first time is beyond awesome!
 

I'm on page 57.

Check out my entry "Cinder~fella".

 

I used the May 1st challenge sketch from Stuck?! Sketches, for my layout and combined it  with the May Colour Challenge at Scrapmuch?

 

 

Scrapmuch?, by random draw, from the colour challenge entries, named my layout as challenge winner, so Liam has won twice for me.

 

Special thanks to my wonderful friend Danie who encouraged me to enter. I was a bit short on confidence so her 'push' was both needed and much appreciated.

 

 

 

I can't wait to try again. You should too.

Check out what they're looking to find for "Inspired" Magazine Issue 5.