Flutter by

When I was a child I would call a butterfly a "flutter by". I still do as a matter of fact. It seems a perfectly good description of what they do.

I've always been intrigued by butterflies. I think it's the ability to change from one thing into something so very different. I took this picture on a trip in Algonquin Park in 2004. It's hard to get picture of a butterfly with it's wings spread because in a blink of an eye they've spread their wings and gone.

I love layouts that I can use for more than one challenge. This layout was created to play along with the Scrapmuch? October Colour Challenge and for the Let's Get Sketchy October 6, 2014 Sketch Challenge.

 

 

The layout didn't need a lot of embellishment. I found the background paper added a lot of texture to the page. To finish I only needed to add a few complimentary coloured roses, metal butterflies in simulated flight and an appropriate saying. What is more true of a butterfly than change?

hello WORLD

I just love the looks babies make as they wonder at each new discovery. Alyvia is sporting looks ranging from curiosity to right out delight as she investigates the world from the safety of her comfy blanket.

Don't you just wish they'd stay this age forever? But since they don't the next best thing is to capture the moments with a camera and create a layout to look back on as the years go by.

 

I used a great sketch from Sketch~N~Scrap for this page. It's their sketch #66 designed by Lisa Hidy.

It's a great sketch if you're trying to incorporate multiple pictures into your layout.

 

 

I stitched the circles with rayon thread using a triple stitch. It gave the circles a 'shine'. I loved that the designs on the bottom of the paper created some embellishments that went perfect with the baby theme of my layout.

Mini-Me

Alyvia sure looks to be enjoying some Daddy and me time during her summer vacation this year. Those shades are just way too cool.

 

I dare you to tell them apart. Ok you get one hint. Daddy is a bit taller.

I just love Bo Bunny's Zip-A-Dee-Doodles collection. I've gathered up so much of it I may have to do an album with it alone.  Match the papers up with some of Bo Bunny's Double Dot collection and the possibilities are endless. This paper appeals to the 'she's a wee bit odd' in me.

The sketch was from Let's Capture Our Memories (October 4th challenge, #92) and is a PageMaps design by Becky Fleck. These are both great sites and you should be sure to check them out.

 

 

Trick Or Treat

It was 1985 and Rambo First Blood had been released that summer. As soon as Richard saw the movie he made it clear he was going to be dressed as Rambo for Halloween.  I swear if he popped out of one more hiding place wielding that blasted machine gun he'd have been lucky to live until October 31st.

Erica on the other hand was going through a princess phase. Come to think of it she's still a princess. Obviously her adult persona is a result of that early childhood Halloween costume.

Halloween went smoothly. Richard didn't shoot Erica and she didn't turn him into a frog. Lucky really.

 

I played along with Little Red Wagon challenge #259 "Spooky Spooky". The sketch is from Paper Secrets and designed by Kelly Holifield.

 

 

I had a lot of fun making this page. I'm loving this "retro" photo phase I'm going through at the moment.

Time for a change

One of the perks of living is Muskoka is the gorgeous colours that surround you come the fall season.

Portage Road is one of the most beautiful areas to drive through this time of year. The trees, ablaze in colour, form a canopy over the road and you are literally driving under a kaleidoscope of shades of red, gold and orange.

 

I took this picture at the beach on Portage Road. It is one of my favourite fall photos.

Portage Road Muskoka, 2002

 This layout is based on the Laura Whitaker October 1st sketch  posted on Stuck?!

Stuck?! partnered with Color Me Scrappy, who  created a fall themed colour combination for us to create with. We're challenged to play along with both the sketch and the colour combo and link up with both challenge sites, for a chance at extra prizes! Who could resist? Not me.

 I used paper with a barn board pattern to draw attention to the old boathouse at the edge of the lake. Black seemed like a great canvas on which to showcase the green and red leave. Using brown and gold turned out to be a great colour combo for the title. The maple leaf is embellished with a bow made of jute and an attached brass acorn.