Oh Captain, My Captain!

Oh my goodness, that's cute stuff! My little man wore those thick cotton training pants an entire day without having an accident. He's just about ready for potty training. Our schedule changes dramatically after Labor Day, so we'll actually start closer to the end of the month when things settle down and his daddy comes home. In the meantime, I've been taking some super cute photos of him practicing.

This layout is based on Liz's sketch #28 at The Scrappiest. I had to change it a good bit to use the photos and October Afternoon Little Ducky paper and embellies that I was set on using. The original sketch has one large square photo with a stitched heart on top. Be sure to go by the blog HERE to see the sketch and the other designers' takes on it. You won't be sorry!





I absoluletely love the die cuts that came with this line of paper. I was able to use a good many of them, too! I added some Angel Wings and Sunflower Shimmerz to the clouds, ducks, and yellow Thickers. LOVE that stuff! I'm ready to order myself a slew of fall colors.



This was such a fun layout. It came together quickly, too! That Liz. She's so good. Thanks, girl.

Thanks for stopping by. And if you come back tomorrow, I'll have another reveal for ya.

Happy Scrappin'

Meet Max

Our 3.7 lbs mini Dachshund. He has stolen our hearts in just one week! Even though he has peed and pooped on my carpet, chewed on my pants, whined until the wee hours of the morning, chased our cat around the hose, stolen my toddler's pacifiers, and caused general mischief, we are utterly in love with this little fellow. Who knew? I've always had cats.

You'll be seeing some layouts featuring this sweet face! Can you say BG June Bug Chipboard? Ignore Frances when she makes fun of me for scrapping my pet.....which I said I wouldn't do. That was before I met Max.

Oh, Happy Day!

That's what today is! Some great things happening here in My Scrappy Life.

First, I found out last night that I made the design team over at 3 Scrappy Boys, an amazing kit company run by Heather Nistler. She offers the latest greatest products in a jam-packed kit sent right to your door each month! I'll be working with her kits, posting at the blog, contributing to the newsletter, and helping to host an online crop. Fun, hun? And I get to work with these talented ladies!

Kimberly Archer
Heather Bowser
Amy Coose
Jennifer Engel
Sara Wise

I can't wait to get started. As soon as the September kits are posted, I 'll let you know!

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In other news, my Freedom layout was posted on the My Little Bit of Whimsy blog. Stephanie is having a great contest and you could win some whimsies (maybe even the ones below)! Go take a look HERE. You won't be disappointed.

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And last, but certainly not least, I'm traveling to Lafayette tonight for a Treasured Memories design team meeting. I'm super excited! We haven't met or had an assignment in a while...ya know, with summer vacations and all. We're starting up again, and I'm sure Melissa and Janet have some great ideas in store. I know the store is overflowing with CHA goodies, so I'll be shopping my little heart out.

And don't forget about Beatriz Guzman's classes at the Busy Bea crop starting October 2nd. Frances and I have already reserved our spot! Hope to see you there. We'll be learning how to make one of these fabulous altered books.

Thanks for stopping by and letting me share! Be back soon with some layouts.

I'm Feeling Dreamy

Because of this week's challenge at Scrapping Out LOUD! For this challenge, we were to scrapbook about our dreams. My really important dreams involve my children and the kind of lives they'll lead and the type of people they'll become. So, here's my layout.







For this layout, I used KI Memories and Chatterbox papers. The chipboard star came from the dollar spot at Michaels. I covered it with patterned paper and then painted it with Shimmerz. LOVE that stuff! I also painted the mustard colored vinyl Thickers with it, but I don't think you can really tell in the photos. I painted the chipboard tag with Tim Holtz crackle paint in picket fence. LOVE that stuff, too!

Be sure to stop by SOL to see the rest of the design team's layouts.....wonderful!

Happy Scrappin'

Crazy Hat Day Layout

Another sketch from Liz at The Scrappiest! This one features two photos, a circle, and plenty of patterned paper. You can check it out HERE. And here's my layout.









This layout includes a lot of supplies from Noel Mignon's Nightingale kit. I added the Paper Studio background paper, the blue/cream checked Webster's Pages paper, the aqua fabric Thickers, and the Cosmo Cricket chipboard alphas. Oh, and the pearls. Cuz no Crazy Hat Day layout would be complete without pearls, right?

Be sure to go by The Scrappiest because Liz is introducing the new design team and showcasing their first layouts. It's a feast for the eyes, I tell ya. I'm so excited to be staying on for a second term. Liz's sketches are great! Thanks!

Oh, and don't forget to upload your layout by the end of August to be eligible for this month's prize, a gift certificate to Memorable Seasons. Don't let that fab opportunity pass you by!

Happy Scrappin'

Beary Special

This month's sponsor at So Sketchy? was The Paper Passion, manufacturer of some adorable stamps. I got one of a sweet little girl holding her teddy bear. To feature this stamp, I used one of Allison's awesome card sketches. Here's my card.



Now, I don't normally make cards, but I tried some techniques that I've seen on beautiful cards while blog surfing. For instance, I added some wide grossgrain ribbon, some tiny pearls, a handstitched border, and a button centered with a pearl. I also stamped the image twice--once on the white cardstock and once on patterned paper. I cut out the dress from the patterned paper and glued it on top of the other stamped image. Easy peasy!

Anyway, you should really head over to So Sketchy! to see today's card sketch HERE and the real card designers' cards. They're fabulous!

Happy Friday,

Start Your Scrappy Engines

Because Allison's got a new sketch up today at So Sketchy! It's such a fun one with a large arrow, two photos, and a little embellishing in the top corner. Check it out HERE.

Here's my layout, featuring my little speed racer on the go kart track in Gulf Shores.





Supplies: Kraft cardstock: Paper Studio; patterned paper: Chatterbox, Crate Paper, SEI; alphas: American Crafts, Lil Davis; journal strips: Dymo labeler; buttons: stash.

I've been admiring banners such as mine on other people's layouts for a while, so I was excited to add one to this layout. The houndstooth patterned paper reminded me of a checkered flag at the race track. I simply cut out some triangles, inked their edges, added some orange eyelets to the top of each one, and then strung them onto some thin orange ribbon. Fun stuff!

Go by and see the other design team members' takes on the sketch. So inspiring!

Thanks for stopping by!

Another Year Wiser

LOVE this! My fourth-grader doing his homework, by himself, in his room, at his built-in desk. His feet barely touch the floor. He's so small, yet so big. I can't stand that he's growing up so fast. But, at the same time, I love the person he's becoming. I'm so proud of this accomplishment...doing his homework on his own. Just last year, we struggled during homework time. I think he really likes the independence. Or maybe it's that this year he has a little friend waiting for him to come play outside when he's finished. Whatever the case, homework has become a little easier at our house, and I am grateful for it.

It's a Wrap!

That's our challenge at Scrapping Out LOUD! this week. Use tissue paper and a bow on your layout. I knew immediately that I'd be making some tissue paper flowers. I've seen them on lots of layouts, and I LOVE them. Here's my take.







Aren't those flowers fun? There are many ways to make them, but I went the easy route. I cut out three different sized circles from the tissue paper, four layers of each size, all held together with a brad. I scrunched them and painted them with Angel Wings Shimmerz. Voila! I've also seen people use white tissue paper and Glimmer Mist it. Yeah, I'm trying that soon.

The layout is based on another of Liz's great sketches, #26 at The Scrappiest. The rest of the design team provided some great inspiration that you should definitely go see. Check it out HERE. You have all week to link up your take on the sketch to be eligible for the monthly prize. This month's sponsor is Memorable Seasons! Wow, hun?

Happy Scrappin'

52 Sketches, Picasa 3, and Glimmer Mist

Sketch #33 at 52 Sketches...52 Weeks was posted today. First off, number thirty-three? The year is going by fast, hun? Hope you've been able to photograph and scrap it, so you can remember it.

I LOVE this sketch...one 4x6 photo, room for six different patterned papers, lots of white space, but still room for lots of embellies...if you like that, which I do. Here's my layout!





Aside from the great sketch that Julie provided, I love this photo of my kids from the fourth of July. I used Picasa 3 to edit the photo to change everything but the flag to black and white. I was stunned at how well it came out.

Another fun thing about this layout is the Glimmer Misted star. I know most of you have probably hopped on and off the Glimmer Mist train by now, but somehow I missed that ride. I've just now started playing with it. For this effect, I laid down a chipboard star and misted over it. Then to make it really pop, I stitched around the outside. This provided me a good place for all that clustering. Still loving those mini Jenni Bowlin bingo cards.

You can check out this sketch HERE, and if you get it uploaded by next Sunday, you are eligible for a great prize!

Happy Scrappin'

To have a friend

is the greatest gift! And my layout for challenge #6 at A La Carte celebrates my friendship with Frances. Because it was her birthday last week, she got to choose a menu of all her scrapbook favorites. Take a look HERE.

Here's my layout, using five items from the menu and showcasing a fab photo of me and my best friend. Love ya, Frannie!









So, let me tell you a little bit about those butterflies. I was inspired by Jana Eubank's chipboard stretching tutorial at Urban Anthology. You can take a look HERE. Basically, you separate the layers of your chipboard and embellish it. I lifted up the wings of the chipboard butterfly and then crackle painted it, which caused it to curl up like you see. Then, I added Angel Wings Shimmerz, mauve chalk, big pearl centers, and push pins. I LOVE them! But, like my husband said, how on earth will I get that in my album?

Thanks for stopping by!

Hands Off!

It's mine. Or at least I hope so. Frances is giving away this ginormous Elmer's supply pack. She's been trying out their product all month and has been given a duplicate goody box for one lucky blogger. Uh hun, me! So, go on over to Frances's blog Forever and a Year to check out what I'll be getting. Just kidding! Go see how to get your name in the hat, too.

Happy Scrappin'

A So Sketchy Double!

As soon as I saw August sketch #8 by Allison at So Sketchy, I knew the photos I'd be scrapping. All so I could use a train die cut border by K & Co. It's been hanging out in my scrap pile for several months along with these photos of my son riding the safari train at the amusement park in Gulf Shores. He rode the train several times and at one point really thought he was driving it. He's a mess!











Supplies: Cardstock: The Paper Studio; Patterned Paper: Scenic Route, Imaginesce, Making Memories; Die Cut Borders: K & Co.; Border Punch: EK Success; Alphas: American Crafts; Journaling Strips: Dymo Labeler.

Be sure to go check out this double-pager sketch at So Sketchy. It's a fun one!

Happy Scrappin'

Where the Wild Things Are

There they are! Playing Guitar Hero at MawMaw's house. They tapped and strummed and sang and generally made a rucous. And for the most part, they were terrible musicians, but darn they're cute! And they have such a good time.







This layout was created for this week's challenge at Scrapping Out LOUD! We were given a detailed recipe including specific paper sizes, a swatch of fabric, and just three layered embellishments (Ooops!). It was a challenge. (Kinda the point, hun?) You can find the menu and the rest of the design team's takes on it HERE.

Despite my initial struggle with the layout, I do like my final result, in part becuase of the Noel Mignon Nightingale kit that I used. LOVE her kits and the fab mix of patterns and textures. She includes a great mix of embellishments each month. And the icing on the cake is all the wonderful inspiration from her design team. You can find her kits, her shop, and links to all her blogs HERE.