Riding the Waves!!

And, here's pics of our jetski that we purchased this summer. We were out at Harsen's Island (loved it!) and I snapped some good ones of Tony and the kids. (Of course, why would anyone grab the camera and snap pics of ME?) This layout features that favorite color scheme of mine. I can't stay away from the combo of bright blue, lime green, and yellow. LOVE it.

Supplies: Cardstock (Bazzill), Patterned Paper (Around the Block), Titles & Splash die cut (Pazzle cuts), Ribbon (American Crafts), Jet skis, wet suit (Jolee's), Word stickers (Karen Foster)

J

Simple Simple Simple!

Now here's a layout that was mega easy to complete. I had 4 different photos of my daughter from entirely different years that I wanted to use on the same page. I chose a very simple layout and used eye catching embellishments to draw attention since there was no journaling. I love how this layout shows the progression in age of the both of us (ok, so not MY age progression - more hers. LOL!)

Supplies: Cardstock (Bazzill), Patterned Paper (Wild Asparagus), Flowers (Prima), Rhinestone words (Me and my Big Ideas), Pearl brads (K & Company)

J

Greenfield Village

Here's a layout I did of our trip to Greenfield Village this summer. I still need to add the journaling. I was perplexed on how to incorporate so many photos on one layout because I usually don't use more than 6 photos per layout. I'm pleased with the way it turned out, however, I feel it's a bit busy. Not one of my favorites.

Supplies: Cardstock (Bazzill), Patterned Paper (American Crafts), Title (Pazzle cut), Cork circles (Dollar store), metal flowers (unknown), notebook and tab punch (Stampin' up)
J

My wish for you is... JOY.

Supplies: Cardstock (Bazzill), Patterned Paper (Scenic Route), Red letters (Chatterbox), JOY letters & brown ribbon (Making Memories), Flowers (Prima), Gems (Doodlebug)


I keep creating two page layouts and I forget that all albums need an opening and closing one pager. Here's a layout I did of my daughter showcasing my most favorite photo of her ever taken. She was around 3 and her little face just speaks volumes in this picture.
J

Back, and fully rested!

We had a wonderful week of rest and relaxation at my Dad's place in Gowen, Michigan. Here's a pic of the kids amongst the many many tall pines we adventured through on the golf cart.

Spending a whole week with my kids made me realize how cool they are. I mean, I always knew they were but I really got a good glimpse at them and the way they interact with each other, others, animals etc... A whole week without TV, video games and internet can force you to spend A LOT of time together and makes you get real creative with all that spare time. I realized that all the stressing I do over their manners, their feelings, their personalities was for nothing. They impressed everyone they hadn't seen in so long and I was complimented over and over again on what a good job I did raising them. How proud I am!! They really are awesome and I wouldn't trade them for the world. BUT... that doesn't mean I'm not excited to send them off to school next week! LOL!!! Stay at home Moms, can I get an AMEN!!!??
I will be posting a new layout for the next four days so check back tomorrow!!

J

Off on vacation!!

Hi everyone! I am off on vacation and will have some fabulous layouts to show you when I return. Unfortunately, I'm not very savvy at setting up posts to be scheduled.

We are headed to a lake on the west side of Michigan where we will jetski and chill on the beach with the kiddos. Wednesday we will see Michigan's Adventure but that's about all the excitement. We may even check out my old stompin' grounds from when I was a teenager (I grew up in the Grand Rapids area). There will be NO internet access (uh-oh) so I can't check in. I will return on Monday August 25th!

Have a great week!!!

J

Divas in Training

Here's a quick layout I whipped up this morning. I had these pics of my daughter and my niece after they did their own makeup from 2003. I also found a pic of them donning some high heels from 2001 that I thought complimented the whole idea of Divahood. Don't be afraid to combine pics from different events on layouts!



Supplies: Cardstock (Bazzill), Patterned paper - polka dot (EK Success), Floral and brown floral (Chatterbox),Glitter paper (Doodlebug), Flowers (Prima), Brads (Creative Imaginations), Makeup and suitcase embellies (Paper Bliss), Two girls embellie (Meri Meri), Letters (American Crafts Thickers)
J

I can't drive 25!!!!!

So, I recently traded in one of my Ram trucks for a Dodge Charger to save on gas (yeah, right) and I wasn't prepared for how much I would love it. It's so sporty and cool. A week after I had it, I got a stinkin' ticket and took it to court because I had a perfect record. What else does a scrapbooker do with all that leftover parafernalia? She puts it on a layout! I totally love this layout. I have to put in the pic of my Charger on the right side, but it needs a car wash first. Hopefully, I'll do that today. By the way, the little pieces of paper on the layout are just there to cover my drivers license number and address in case any of you are stalkers!! LOL!!!

The journaling reads: After being a truck girl for so long, I traded in my Dodge Ram for something cooler and more sporty ~ A Dodge Charger. The first week, I knew it was the car for me. Unfortunately after one week of ownership, I was caught speeding and received my first ticket in 20+ years! Hey, life IS a highway, just don't go too fast!!


Supplies: Cardstock (Bazzill), Patterned paper (All My Memories), Title (Pazzle cut), Flowers (Prima), Rhinestones (Doodlebug), Sparkly trim (on a spool from Joanns), Brad on the very left side flower (unknown but they were expensive - I know that!)

J

Altered haunted house

I know it's a bit early for Halloween, but I'm digging in the vaults for stuff to show you until I can get my lazy butt to start photographing the current stuff.

This is a house by Doodlebug which comes in the package totally flat and stark white. You have to "build" it. I used all papers and cutie fuzzy spiders by K & Company, gems and buttons by Doodlebug, and the fence was cut from a patterned paper also by K & Company.

Psst... wanna hear a funny secret about the smoke coming out of the chimney?? Bonnie and I couldn't find any cotton or gauze in the store to make smoke, so we took apart a tampon! So funny!!! Shhhhh, don't tell - we love it when people look at the house and comment on the clever smoke coming from the chimney! LOL!!!

J

What to do with giant artwork?? Case solved!

Here's a fun altered project I did a couple years back. This is an altered pizza box that I did a class on. It is meant to store artwork and photos/memorabilia from your child's school year. I put elastic along the bottom to hold the bigger artwork, and across the top I cut a big brown grocery bag to hold report cards, certificates and photos. Cool huh?

J

Layouts coming soon!

I'm here, I'm here! I know, as always, I left you guys hanging for awhile. Summer is like that. I can have hours of free time one day, and then the next week is pure chaos. I just finished a layout today that I will be posting tomorrow - I'm really excited about it.

I've been working loads of hours at the store this week and will have next week off so I plan to get in here and clean house. I'm trying to figure out how to make myself a custom banner for this blog. I'm getting closer... a few more google searches and I will have mastered it!

Today's thought to ponder: what are you doing to make a difference in the life of your child? Are you nurturing their inner spirit? I have only one daughter and it's important to me that her and I share a special bond that will last forever. I want to be THAT MOM - the one who calls her all the time when she's older just to hang out. The Mom that still takes her shopping even if she's old enough to do her own shopping.

Tomorrow I will be spending some much needed alone time with Kalea. Sometimes, I get so carried away with daily events that I forget she's still waiting for me on the sidelines. It breaks my heart. Tomorrow I will nurture her spirit and together we will grow just a little bit closer. Can't wait!
J