Play Ball!

This week I dug out some old photos and an old Fancy Pants collection to create this layout for the weekly sketch challenge at Scrapbook Steals.

These papers are from the Like Father, Like Son collection and I thought they paired up nicely with a father/son game of catch.  The paper was already distressed, faded, and splattered, but I added some Mr. Huey's mists to add even more character.  All of the products used on this page were purchased from Scrapbook Steals.  Here's the original Kristy Lee sketch that inspired this layout:

1st day of 1st grade

Today at Practical Scrappers, they are featuring layouts using tags.   Here's my design team contribution:

I pulled out one of my favorite school themed collections, Geek is Chic by Imaginisce.  I cut tags of several sizes using my Cricut machine and started layering them into a grid type arrangement.  The group of three red tags behind my son's photo are actually 2" tags.  I simply cut them in half and tucked the pieces behind each side of the photo.  I added some cute embellishments, the die cut title and tied some of the tags with twine. It was a fun way to use lots of fun patterns from this collection.  Thanks for stopping by!

4th of July

This week's sketch challenge at Scrapbook Steals was another amazing source of inspiration.  Because I am so far behind and always have a ton of photos to scrap, I turned the one page layout by Kristy Lee into a two pager to showcase more pics.  Here's what I came up with:

I mixed papers from several different lines, pulling out lots of fun red white and blue patterns.  I cut a big #4 with my Cricut and embossed it with a start texture plate.  I popped up the banner with pop dots and added star confetti over some spray mist.  I'm thrilled to be another page closer to being caught up.  Here's the original sketch that inspired my design:

Hexbug Love

Today at Practical Scrappers, they are featuring layouts using basic shapes.  I decided to embrace the ever trendy hexagon and created a layout about my son's latest obsession- the hex bug. 

Hex bugs are little more than overpriced vibrating toothbrush heads, but he loves creating habitats and paths for them wiggle on.   And if the boys are happy, then momma is happy, so I support their hex bug love!

For this layout, I created a hexagon template and traced and cut a bazillion hexagon shapes.  I inked the edges and arranged them on my page in a loose pattern, popping up random hexagons with pop dots for a little added dimension.  I spent way more time than expected on this layout and I am now wishing for a hex shaped punch.   Thanks for looking!

my class

This week my super talented friend Melissa Dehne was the lucky guest sketcher for this week's mid-week mojo challenge at Scrapbook Steals.  She created two sketches and provided loads of inspiration.  Thanks to a hectic week, I wasn't able to get into my scrappy space until Sunday, but I managed to finish this layout in time for the Monday deadline.

This layoutmostly features the Elementary collection by Simple Stories.  I love the Simple Stories products and only wish I could get my hands on more.  I've been able to find a few pieces here and there when I've visited local scrapbook stores.  I picked up these pages at the Doodlebug when I was visiting southern Indiana. The papers have a "distressed" look and are full of fun gender neutral colors!   Melissa made two wonderful sketches, but I chose this one to feature a class picture of my little Caleb.  This picture is two years old!  Yikes, I'm a little behind on the boys' albums! 

Thanks for looking!

hello world!

This week the Koets family was blessed with it's first baby girl.  Mike and Tanya were blessed to be chosen as adoptive parents for this sweet little thing and they were able to participate and be included in her birth.  Lela Ray is now in her "forever home" and is such a wonderful addition to all of the boys that have traditionally ruled the Koets home.  I think it's high time to add some girly touches to our family and I decided to welcome her home with a scrapbook page.

My plan is to put it in a white shadowbox frame, but I gave it to her parents as is until I get a chance to get a frame.  We had so much fun snuggling and loving on our little blessing for the first time.  My hands smelled like "baby" for several hours after our visit and I caught myself sniffing them throughout the evening.  The boys think it's great to have another cousin. And they don't mind at all that she's a girl!

campfire cobbler (recipe included)

I love Wednesdays, when the weekly sketch challenge is revealed at Scrapbook Steals! This week I decided to pull out some of last year's camping photos.  I have a bad case of spring fever and after spending the past several months indoors, I can't wait for warmer weather and the start of camping season.  This layout reminds me what camping is all about:

Many years ago I bought Nate a dutch oven for his birthday.  We started collecting recipes and found a super easy recipe for cobbler.  Whenever friends come to visit, this is always requested.  We even bought a second dutch oven so we can make two batches when we have lots of company.  The recipe is super simple and easy to assemble when we're in the great outdoors.  We start with three cans of fruit pie filling.  My favorites are apple or peach, but Nate loves cherry the best!  Dump the pie filling in the dutch oven, then sprinkle one dry yellow cake mix over the top.  Then cut a stick of butter into 1/4 inch slices and put the pats of butter over top the cake mix.  Sprinkle the whole thing with sugar and cinnamon and bake it for one hour.  We've made it at home in a 350 degree oven, using a regular 9x13 pan, but there's just something about cooking it outside that makes it better.  We use a dutch oven, with charcoal briquets underneath and placed on the lid, and it bakes the same as an oven.  We turn it a 1/4 turn every 15 minutes to even out the heat.  It is best served warm with ice cream!  Yummo!

Here's the Kristy Lee sketch that inspired this layout: