March Photo Shoot

This is a photo of a March day in Wisconsin when the temperature reaches the 60's. It is a photo of the elation that it just might be tank top and short weather (even though it really isn't). It is a photo of anxiously awaiting for those warm summer days that are soon approaching. And it is a glimpse at the pale legs that emerge after hibernating during the long, cold months of winter.

Now this is the other end of the photo. The surprise through the lens on a warm windy day. While I'm behind the camera my girls keep saying "Mommy, look up at how fast the clouds are moving!" Then, when I looked at them, looking up at the clouds, the photo becomes a reminder of how beautiful God has made my life right here in my backyard.

Equation Egg

At our grade school they have the younger grades practice a thing called "Rocket Math". Basicly it is a test of 40 equations that needs to be completed in 1 minute. The tests are labled by the letters of the alphabet, and as the children progress, the equations use larger numbers and are more difficult.

Let me just say that after 4 children, I am really sick of rocket math! But because of all that math practice Delaney had math on her mind last year for Easter egg decorating..

She was working hard writing math facts on her egg...

...thinking.

...and then coloring

Today on the Bella Blvd blog my layout about this equation egg is featured along with some other great spring inspiration. Check it out here.

Kisses

Another day of inspiration on the Bella Blvd blog including a layout from me using bunches and bunches of the new Bella Accents...

To create this layout I dove back into my non digital photos to pull out this favorite of mine. It's of a one year old Delaney leaning in to kiss her good friend Aaron. I love the scared look on his face.
And I love all the goodies I got to use to create the layout...the wood buttons, the designer tape, the crochet flowers. All so much fun!!!

Thanks again for looking

Endeared

When you say the word "rat" you would probably never put the word endeared with it. I'm here today to share a story of endearment with a rat named Herbert...

Herbert was originally Connor's rat. But when he decided the little creature who liked to sit and snuggle was too boring, he was adopted by the girls. Delaney was in charge of keeping Herbert fed, and Kelly gave him love. He was truely their pet.
But lately at the ripe old age of two and a half years their little friend was showing his age. And Monday night we could tell he was in his final moments. Kelly held him all night, and at bed time said what she thought were her final goodbyes. But in the morning to our surprise he was still breathing. She woke up to give him a pet and then they said goodbye.

But in the McElvain way we stopped to find a new friend on our way home from school that same day...Meet Lenny

He has brought many smiles and giggles to our home already. And we are looking forward to a good two to three years of endearment with our new pet.

Be Nice

Here is a pre Thanksgiving post...

This is a little something of mine that was featured on the Bella Blvd Blog today.

With some inspiration from this sketch. (If I remember correctly it was from the Studio Calico blog a while back.)

And some photos of my two sweet little girls who get along splendidly all the time (cough, cough). I had the makings for a memorable layout. I loved this sign that read "everyday is be nice to to the pumpkins day", and the series of looks the girls were giving each other as they stood by it that said " but don't be nice to your sister today."

Why is it so hard to be nice to your sister? Being an only child I am lacking in knowledge about sisterly relations. But I have learned that sometimes it is easier to be nice to just about anything else besides your sister, even pumpkins I guess.

Not quite sure if Thanksgiving day is be nice to pumpkin (or your sister) day. We will find out tomorrow. Either way I hope your day is filled with niceties of some kind, and many, many blessings. Have a very happy Thanksgiving!

Pretty Scary Halloween

Happy Halloween!

Here is hoping your day is...

very pretty...

a little scary

And all around wonderful!

New Collection

Today is the big day at Bella Blvd. Stephanie has created two brand new lines for a special limited edition mid-release. Go to the the Bella Blvd Blog this week to see loads of inspiration using the two new lines "Winter Wonder" and "Spring Flings and Easter Things", plus some new tags for Sophisticates. I have so many ideas for using these lines, but all I have had time to put together so far was this one layout....

Delaney and her little cousin Brianna all dressed up for Easter last year.

I still have to add some journaling to the layout to tell the story.

But it took me FOREVER to put together this little punch out boarder. It really should not have been that hard, but I could not get it to come together for some reason. But now it is complete and I have to say I LOVE the new Bella lines!!! Can't wait to have more time to play!

Too Cute to Spook

October is one of my favorite months. The cool sunny days, our anniversary, the beautiful colors, Ricky's birthday, and of coarse Halloween.

Lately the girls have been asking to start the traditional Halloween festivities. Like digging in the costume box and going to the pumpkin farm. Those moments of dressing up and heading out to choose a pumpkin are great opportunities for great photos. Last Halloween I got some pretty pictures of Kelly dresses as a witch. And when this Bella line came out I knew I had the perfect theme...
Those stockings on that little witch are just like Kelly's costume. A scrapbookers happy place when things match so well.

Then there was last years pumpkin carving. Delaney was gagging and choking as she scooped out her goo. Then Ricky made it into big orange ball for her and she had even more slimy fun. Really, how often do you get to hold a ball of pumpkin goo? I would say the opportunity only comes once a year.

I decided that was another Halloween moment worth scrapbooking. Can't wait to see what comes up this year. Delaney has been doing the count down...Only 18 days to Halloween! Better dig that costume box out of the basement soon.

Pancakes Anyone?

What can you do with pancake batter in a squirty bottle? Well you would never believe it if I told you, so view it for yourself at "Jim's Pancakes". When we went to the blog to view Jim's creations we were simply amazed at what the man can create with pancake batter and had to give it a shot (or should I say squirt) on the McElvain fry pan.

Kelly chose to create the stacked toilet pancake,

adorned with chocolate poop in the bowl.

Delaney was into animals shapes.

First she created a mouse.

And then a pig.

Pink pancakes do not really look very appetizing do they?

Kevin went all out whipping up a bee hive stack

with an order of small bees on the side.

I'm not sure I recommend trying Jim's pancake creations at home unless you have a lot of time, coupled with a good dose of patience. We spent about 2 hours in the kitchen, taking turns transforming batter into these tasty treats. And are you wondering what my pancake turned out to be....well it was round, because by the end of the whole event that is all that I had the energy to create!

Christmas in July

So we are back from CHA. It is always so much fun to go and see all the great projects that the designers create. It is a bit like Christmas in July with all the goodies. Of coarse Bella Blvd's was the BEST of all the booths. She has such a great team of designers that I am humbled to be a part of it. So today I am going to share a bit of Christmas with you. Here is a look at my little Christmas creations for the booth...

Loving the Chipboard cut outs and the little tags!!!

This is a true story from last Christmas Eve. Poor Delaney, when she grows up she is going to think she was sad all the time. I have so many pictures of her like this. Probably because she is pouting quite often (and so cute when she does). It's tough to be the baby of the family.

Maybe I have so many shots of her pouting because she doesn't seem to mind me behind the camera snapping away when she is moping around. A bit "naughty and nice" all at the same time.

Well good bye for now, I'll have more projects tomorrow. We are gearing up for the state swim meet this weekend so we will have some sports layouts to peek at. Thanks for looking.

Let the Creative Juices Flow...

A holiday weekend is right around the corner. Many people are preparing for backyard picnics, parades, and fireworks. I have been preparing as well, but not for July 4th.

Instead, I have been down in my basement organizing and clearing my scrap space to get ready to do some scrapbooking. This is the exciting time of year when I receive a bag full of top secret, Bella Blvd goodies, in order to transform them into projects for the Bella Blvd booth at CHA. But since that is all hush hush right now, today I'll show you some other creativity that is going on in the newly organized and clean McElvain basement.

Yesterday the kids started a class from Big Picture Scrapbooking called Kidding Around 2. The concept is that the kids journal, doodle, and decorate a K&Company Smash Book for six weeks though out the summer.
They are given prompts and assignments Monday thru Friday, and of coarse like most things we are a bit late in starting the class (like a week). But now that I have a space set up for them downstairs, they are ready to go create! And I can tell that starting late won't be a problem, because last night they were motivated to keep working on assignment after assignment.

So the first day we have doodle and decorated the intro page and the page about "who I am". These books are going to be truly theirs with no help from mom. A treasure for the future, and fun way to see how they think and create the same project differently at the ages they are at right now. I think I have even talked Connor into joining in on the project.

There has been one little girl has also joined us for our creative sessions no matter what, although she looks rather uninterested.

That little Myrtle follows the family where ever we go. She is such a sweetie!

Sunshine

Here in Wisconsin we got some today...sunshine that is!

And yesterday a sunny layout of mine was featured on the Bella Blvd Blog. That little yellow bumble bee umbrella that Delaney is holding has been around for a quite some time. Although the layout was created recently, the photo is from three years ago when she was 5, smiling with her cute litttle baby teeth.

Now three years later, Delaney's cute little smile is filled with adult teeth, but that umbrella still makes an appearance every so often. Just like it did today.

I said we got some sun in Wisconsin today, not all sun. And when it rained this afternoon the girls decided to create an umbrella/towel structure of sorts to cosy under.

So now, just when I was caught up with the laundry (if you believe that) I have a load of wet towels to wash. But thanks for the bit of sunshine girls! I guess it is worth the extra load of wash.

Summer Coolers

Ahhh...summer is here! With summer weather comes summer treats and drinks. Those drinks are coolers of sorts, root beer floats, slushies, lemonade with lots of ice. Oh, my mouth is watering!

Today being the middle of June we are far into summer and should be enjoying those those cool sensations trickling over out taste buds. But we do live in Wisconsin, and here is the treat I took my little swimmers out for after their 9am outdoor practice. Yes, it is a hot chocolate.

Since the air temperature was only 65 we needed a little warm up after getting out of the pool. What better way than with a donut, hot chocolate, and good friends.