Back to School Layout

I created these layouts of Lexi's first day of school using my new "Girl Friday" papers and chipboard from Cosmo Cricket. I love the fun feel of this paper. I bought it at the Scrapbook Expo for this purpose. I have one more set of pages to do. Unfortunately, I used my new camera and some of the pictures turned out blurry. I am going to have to take some classes on geting better photos.

Pismo Beach Layout

Here is another layout that I made of Pismo Beach using CTMH's Emporium Paper Pack. The paper shaped like a tag was bought at my local scrapbook store a few months ago. I wasn't sure what to do with it, but I liked it. I was reading the Aug/Sept issue of Scrabooks Etc and was inspired by a layout in it that used this piece and it worked so well with my CTMH paper. The Pelican and Sandcastle were cut with my Cricut using "Life's a Beach" cartridge.

Fall Catalog CTMH Blog Hop

Welcome to the Close to My Heart Blog Hop. We will be sharing some fabulous artwork that was created using the new papers and stamps from the Fall and Winter CTMH Catalog that goes live on September 1st. Be sure to stop by each consultants blog and leave a friendly comment. If you should get lost along the way, I have a list of the bloggers at the end of this post. Have fun.

My layout was created using the New Twitterpated Workshop on the Go. I just love these warm colors of fall. And, wait until you see the new catalog showcasing the new stamps and artwork to go with it. It is awesome.

Now you will move on to the "Fabulously Artsy Blog" of Teresa Black. And, it truly is Fabulous.

List of bloggers in the blog hop

Erin Herring http://tazzygirl2000.blogspot.com/

Terrie Dodd http://my-life-in-real-time.blogspot.com/

Jessica http://jessicaspaperpetals.blogspot.com/

Leisa Hubley http://bigredscraps.blogspot.com/

Karen Norman http://gettinscrappywithit.blogspot.com/

Sherry Thompson http://picturespatternsandpaper.blogspot.com/

Adeline Brill http://adeline-brill.blogspot.com/

Miranda http://www.scrampinwithmiranda.com/

Brae Montgomery http://thebrae-er.blogspot.com/

Wendy Kessler http://www.myscrapbookingblog.com/

Dawn Heuft http://stamptildawn.blogspot.com/

Carla Ironside http://carlacreates.blogspot.com/

Dawn Ross http://iamahappystamper.blogspot.com/

Julie Banzon http://www.scrapbookiejulie.blogspot.com/

Jody Gustafson http://cre8nmemories.blogspot.com/.

Helen Onulak http://www.hookedonstamping.com/

Sheila Bennett http://sheila-bennett.blogspot.com/

Haley Dyer http://inkyscrapper.blogspot.com/

Lisa Stenz http://www.lisascreativecorner.blogspot.com/

Jena DeVries http://livelovelaughscrapbook.blogspot.com/

Jen Patrick http://www.roxybonds-scrappin.blogspot.com/

Amy Schultz http://amylizschult.com/

Lori Scott http://scrapinglori.blogspot.com/

Tresa Black http://fabulouslyartsy.blogspot.com/

Jennifer Kraynak http://whatchadoin-jennifer.blogspot.com/

Sharesa Larsen http://creedandsharesa.blogspot.com/

Amy Edwards http://paisleysplayhouse.blogspot.com/

Jean McNulty http://stampinmaui.blogspot.com/

Emma Hubert http://paperaddictsanonymous.blogspot.com/

Antoinette Herrin http://www.godblessyourart.blogspot.com/

Her First Day of School

Lexi started school today. She was so ready. She was missing being around other kids. When the teacher opened the door, she was the first one in. She is in Junior Kindergarten. Technically, she could go to Kindergarten, but she is an October baby and we felt it best to give her a little more time. It was a tough decision. But, the teachers at the school don't want the young ones and pressured the parents to wait another year. They know best and what's the rush. She has a lot of years ahead of her. I had so much fun watching her interact with the other kids. I can't wait to come home from work and here about her big day.

Pismo Beach Layouts

This weekend I was able to get some major scrapbooking done. It felt so good. I had made these layouts at one of my workshops a few months ago but didn't have the pictures to fit. My Pismo Beach Pictures worked well with this paper. I will be sharing more layouts over the next few days. The paper used was CTMH Emporium.

Sneek Peek at Twitterpated

Here is a sneek peek at Close to My Heart's new Twitterpated Paper Pack. I just love the colors in this paper. And, look at the adorable Quail. This pack is so much fun. These are some of the pictures from Ryan, Jennifer and Lexi's trip to Yosemite.

Pismo Beach

We had a great time in Pismo Beach with our good friends Jackie and Steve and their family. Here is me and Lexi. She loves the ocean and doesn't mind the cold water. As for me, I like looking at it.

Here is my daughter Jennifer with Lexi and her dad, Ryan
Her is my hubby Bill.

Here is Lexi enjoying the beach.

Here are Steve and Jackie.

This is their daughter Amee

And, their other daughter Katie

Lexi had so much fun with Katie and her boyfriend Steven.

Here are some pictures taken of the beach.

I love the Pelicans.

I will share more pictures tomorrow. It's time to go to bed. Good night.

She Can Brighten Any Day

Tuesday I had an awful day at work. I was trying to finish up so that I could go on vacation the next day and things just weren't working out. I had important reports due and my boss forgot that I was going on vacation the next day. I did the best that I could but the information that I needed for the reports was not ready. At the end of the day I was quite upset. My boss had to finish the reports the next day and I was feeling horrible. I came home to this. My adorable little Lexi dressed up as Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz. She saw a costume in a magazine and went upstairs and put this together. She can brighten any day. Now that I am on vacation, work is in the past and I can finally enjoy myself. I will post pictures soon.

My Layouts from Expo

The nice thing about having done these Basic Grey layouts at Expo is that the only thing left was too add my pictures.

A Perfect Day...or Partners in Crime???

I wasn't sure if my title should read "A Perfect Day" or "Partners in Crime." You see, Jackie and I went to Scrapbook Expo yesterday. And, just like when we were kids, we were getting each other into sooooo much trouble. She would tell me what I "Had to Have" and I would do the same to her.

See the excitement in her face??? That's how it was the whole day for both of us. We each got shirts. Hers says "Scrappin With my Peeps" and mine says "Scrappin Princess".

We took a break from shopping to have lunch and check out our new things. It was so much fun going through the bags.

Jackie got this cute little stamp of a dog in a Halloween Costume that reminded her of her dog, Charlie.

Here I am with some adorable Chipboard pieces from Basic Grey. We spent over an hour in their booth shopping.

Here is the evidence of our purchases....Chipboard books, Basic Grey paper packs, Cosmo Cricket, Rusty Pickle, templates, ribbon, lots of bling, etc, etc, etc.

At 3:30 we were so exhausted from shopping since 9:00 that it felt good to finally sit down with a coffee and take a class from Basic Grey. We made 6 layouts. We were only able to complete four of the six, since the class was an hour and a half, but we have directions, so I will finish mine at home.Here I am a very happy girl. But, my arms sure hurt a lot today from the weight of my bags.

And, here is a picture of one of my Basic Grey layouts titled "A Perfect Day". I plan to put our pictures on these pages and the others in the workshop.

It's a Brown Paper Package Day!!!!

Today the "Man in Brown" showed up or as my friend Jackie calls him "My Boyfriend". This is what I got. This is a special for National Stamping Month that will start on August 18 and go through September 30. It is called the "Every Day Celebration" card kit. I got it for free!!! And, you can too by ordering $60 in stamp sets. Look what came with it. Paper, a stamp set, embellishments, ribbon, distressing ink, foam squares, sponge, instructional brochure and envelopes. It includes everything you need to make 16 cards. The colors are Chocolate, Colonial White, Dutch Blue and Sweet Leaf. In addition to this free product, I received the August "Thanks-a-bration" special for free. The special is a free paper pack. You won't know which one you are going to get. It is a surprise. The paper pack that I got is called Expedition and I love it. It will be perfect for cards and layouts using my animal stamps. I also got the birthday Stamp of the month. In order to qualify for this special, you will need to spend $100. I was able to combine both specials. The $60 that I spent on stamps went toward the $100 that was required for this special. Are you following me?

You can combine these specials this month too. And, here are the stamps that I ordered. I was planning to order them last month, but I am glad that I waited. The stamps are Baby Steps, Picture Perfect, October Word Puzzle, Welcome Baby, and Dogs Life.

And, now for a BIG SURPRISE. SHHHHHH. I'm not suppose to tell. These are some of the goodies that will be offered in the Fall catalog that comes out next month. I received this gorgeous woodland paper pack called "Twitterpated". I will use it for my September Workshop. The workshop includes this paper pack, the stamp set with the cute little porcupine, and chocolate ribbon. The other items that match this paper pack are chipboard buttons, Stick-ease and this adorabable tree stamp called "Grown with Love". I am so into nature and trees right now. I just couldn't wait until September to order. I tried to wait.....but it didn't work.

Now I am off to play with my new goodies. Have a great day, too!!!

A Wedding Card

Jennifer is going to a wedding on Saturday and needed a card. The stamp is from SU. I can't remember the name of the set, but it comes with several stamps for all occasions. I water colored the image to give it a soft look. The paper is from CTMH.

My Life According to Jewel

I saw this on my friend Jena's Blog and decided to play along!
***
My Life According to...
Using only song names from ONE ARTIST, cleverly answer these questions. Try not to repeat a song title. It's a lot harder than you think! Repost as "my life according to (band name)"

I have had this song stuck in my head by Jewel all day, so I will use her....
"I hear the clock, it's 6am. I feel so far from where I've been. I got my eggs and my pancakes too. I got my maple syrup, everything but you. I break the yolks and make a smiley face. I kinda like it in my brand new place. I wipe the spots off all the mirror. Don't leave the keys in the door. I never put wet towels on the floor anymore ...Cause dreams last so long...."


Pick your Artist:
Jewel
*
Describe yourself:
I'm Sensitive
*
How do you feel:
Doin' Fine

*
Describe where you currently live:
1000 Miles Away
*
If you could go anywhere, where would you go:
Barcelona
*
Your favorite form of transportation:
*Drive to You

Your best friend:
Little Sister
*
You and your best friend are:
Near you Always

*
What's the Weather Like?
Good Day

*Favorite time of day:
Morning Song
*
If your life was a TV show, what would it be called:
Pieces of You*

What is life to you:
Foolish Games
*
Your relationship:
You were Meant for Me
*
Your fear:
Down So Long
*
What is the best advice you have to give:
What's Simple is True
*
Thought for the Day:
Everything Breaks

*
How I would like to die:
Angel Standing By
*
My soul's present condition:
Who will Save your soul ?
*
My motto:
Sometimes it be That Way
***

Little Sprouts Notebook

I am giving a baby shower for a woman in my church this weekend. I wanted to have a little book where each of the people attending the shower could write words of advice to the new mother. My Bella Sister sent me an adorable homemade journal this past week. Using her idea, I decided to make one myself. When Bill and I went up to the Redwoods last month I stopped by a scrapbook store and bought this adorable paper pack from Crate Paper called Little Sprouts. I fell in love with the little woodland animals and trees. They seem to be the rage these days.It worked perfect for this journal because of the letters that spell BABY. I didn't have a use for them and I am happy that I could use them for her journal.
I started with an inexpensive journal book that I bought at Michaels. I had to remove the binding and pages. I then covered the front and back cover with my new paper. I added pieces of patterned paper to the inside to create sections. I figure that she can use the rest of the book for her own journal. I added the little bunny from DCWV to the front because I felt that it needed a little something. I can't wait to give Natalie her new journal.