Halloween in February...???

When I reorganized my scrap space, I came across a few (too many?) Halloween themed scrapbooking papers/kits. My favorite was the Basic Grey Eerie collection from this past fall. I had purchased individual sheets and some embellishments back when it first came out, but only got so far as to "kit" them together. On a recent trip to Archiver's, I found several matching embellishments marked down 50%. I was anxious to use this line!

Last night my aunt came over for some late night scrapbooking. I was inspired by some LOs by Allison Davis (2-pagers) and my new issue of Scrapbook Trends magazine. I was able to finish four layotus last night and another one earlier this afternoon. I LOVE them all. Like I mentioned earlier, I loved Eerie to start with. It was just that much better after adding photos.

I started by pulling out my 2007 Halloween photos. This was a year where the boys costumes didn't really coordinate. Kevin really wanted to be a skeleton, so he used an old costume of Blake's. It was deja vu seeing him look much like Blake - like a yard decoration - during our photo shoot in the front yard. He was adorable when he took the mask off though. "Boo to You!" was inspired by a LO in the February issue of Scrapbook Trends by Lisa Dickinson.

The rest of Kevin's trick or treat shots from this year are used on "Trick or Treat Glendale". Each year we trick or treat in this (safe and quaint) nearby railroad town. We met up with my sisters boys this year. It was Luke's first Halloween. He was a fly trapped in a web (with the "web" on his stroller) while his big brother was a spider. I was inspired by an Allison Davis layout on her family store's blog. "Dracula" was also inspired by an Allison Davis layout. The tree I used replaces three paper Christmas tress she had on her original. 2007 was a favorite year of mine as far as Blake's costumes go. I thought he was the coolest Dracula!"Ghost Train" wraps up Halloween 2007 for Blake. (I had already scrapped a couple photos for his album a while back.) I was inspired by a Kelly Noel layout in the February issue of Scrapbook Trends.I am proud to say that "Trick Tattoos" is all original-Amy. I printed these b/w shots of Kevin and my dad sporting fake tattoo "sleeves" right after I took them in October 2008, but never scrapped them. I thought they worked great with the Eerie papers. Not sure if you noticed on the other layouts, but I did a lot of distressing with my edger and also inking (gasp!...I know!...me inking!). I took it a little further on this one and even distressed the edges of my photos with my paper edger and some little "roller thingy". Yes, I'm sure it has a name, but whatever it was left little holes in my paper. I still wanted a more distressed look, so I pulled out the never-before-used steel wool from my drawer and rubbed that around the edge of my photos. (That's what made the orange spots on the photo.) I am happy with my results. My favorite part of this page, was the creative burst that hit me when I was adding my title. I decided to place the skeleton where the two Os should have been in "tattoos." The blinged out eyes are my Os. ;)

Although I feel like I could scrap all night, I'm declaring tonight movie night with my husband. I will admit though that I'm keeping my fingers crossed for the snow they are predicting for Monday night to hit. Big. I'd enjoy a snow day filled with scrapping in between making batches of hot cocoa for my boys.

Thanks for looking!

9 layouts = 1 great value!

In October after making the design team, I received my first order from Scrappin' {Sports} Stuff. (Click here to see it.) I quickly created several pages using it. Then I did a few more here and there over the past few months.

In January, it was COLD. I believe it was the 16th before we had a day hit over the freezing point! I guess I was thinking warm thoughts...about sitting out at the ballpark and enjoying a game in the sun. Maybe? I pulled out my container of Scrappin' {Sports} Stuff supplies and grabbed some baseball photos. By adding some cardstock and Scenic Route background papers, I was able to finish NINE more layouts!

I used a SR background paper for the base of this layout for Kevin. The photo looks pretty uneventful, but I wanted to remember him in the stands at a travel tournament supporting his brother before he was named an all-star. It probably doesn't sound like much to most of you, but now I can look back and appreciate the time he spent patiently waiting and supporting his brother.

Next, I documented the all-star uniforms from last summer. Love this page. (Love this kid, too!)Speaking of loving this kid...I came across these photos of Kevin from his last year of teeball. I couldn't get over how much he's grown! I was amazed by the expressions on his face in both photos. Instead of scrapping about the game the day the photos were taken, I decided to use these photos as an example and journal about why we invest so much time (and sometimes money) into baseball. It's for our boys. It's to give them the opportunity. It's to give them moments like I captured in these two shots. It's to give us all this much enjoyment.Finally, I scrapped one last LO for Kevin. These shots are from a tournament last summer. They got their butts kicked in this last game, but they were 7s playing in an 8 year-old tournament. They won game after game, but finally hit a roadblock against a great team. You can't win them all, but by playing hard, you'll become a better player in the end. And what is baseball without Blake?!? Last summer I took (too) many (???) shots of him at bat. I had printed a 5x7 collage of several smaller photos, but I decided to break them up and reposition them in a diagonal row across the page. Blake's strength amazes me, but I know with hard work, he'll still continue to improve. This next photo (an enlargement) isn't Blake's favorite. It reminds him of a season where his team wasn't the greatest and they didn't play their best. To me though, it reminds me of the lessons Blake learned by being on this team. They didn't always play "together." Many of them didn't work hard. Blake didn't even get to play much that season. This, however, was a real turning point in Blake's attitude. It wasn't all fun and games. Blake learned that he had to really perform to earn a spot. He learned that hard work isn't always rewarded. He learned that not everything is fair. Still, whenever he was in the game, he gave 100%. I think in the long run that last summer's experience will make him a better player. I took a break from baseball photos and scrapped a little football...We all enjoyed our trip to a Louisville football game last fall. They won! (This LO is for Kevin - Blake's was already scrapped.)In December, we spent our anniversary attending a Western Kentucky basketball game (the boys were able to get free tickets and ours were only $5 each!). It was a fun outing. Kevin is obsessed with "Big Red" their mascot! Blake is just an all-around sports fan, so he'd be happy at any game. The fact that the Hilltoppers won their 500th win in their arena made it even more memorable. I scrapped a 2-page layout for each of the boys.

My stash of Teresa Collins products has been officially used up! I placed a new order with SSS today for some Teresa Collins "family" products. I hope I can stretch them as far as the sports line!

Snow fun...

We had a bit of snow this past weekend. I guess about 3 inches. The boys had fun playing outside in it on Saturday and Sunday. Luckily it didn't interfere too much with the roads and we were able to get out every day and back to school on Monday.

I guess you could say I was inspired by the snow to scrapbook a bit. On Sunday night I created this layout using photos taken during the ice storm last January. It's hard to believe that exactly one year ago we were without power and staying with my parents (who had power restored...and hot water!). I mentioned once that we were without power for almost a week. Blake was quick to remind me that it was actually six days and ten hours! I used my new January kit from Personal Scrapper for this page. I added some older items to it also (metal snowflakes from Michael's, Li'l Davis coaster, fabric tab...and Thickers!).

We could get more snow this weekend or early next week. We will have six more weeks of winter, afterall!

Stay warm. ;)

Winter Croppin'

Personal Scrapper is hosting an online crop and I enjoyed working on some challenges this weekend.

I pulled out my Crate Paper "North Pole" scraps and knocked out a couple of challenges. The first one was to scrap a hobby. I scrapped Blake's hobby of playing the drums. The photos I used were from a performance he had with the percussion ensemble at his school. I scraplifted a layout by Allison Davis for this one. This next challenge was to use bling on a holiday layout. I lifted Melanie Call, the guest designer for this month at Personal Scrapper.

I used my OLD May 2008 Personal Scrapper kit for the "use up a kit" challenge. The kit is now all gone. I scrapped a page about my younger sister being a mom now. Her baby was born in September. The photos are from Thanksgiving. I was also able to use up the rest of the Cosmo Cricket "Earth Love" papers I had in my stash, too. I made four more layouts with it. The first one documents my husband's relationship with my nephew. Luke is so funny around Tom! I completed a "recipe" challenge with it. I have one piece of cardstock, two sheets of patterned paper, three photos, two alphabets and another embellishment (rick rack).

The crop this month introduced a few sketches by members. "Cheese" is based on a LO by Sheila Mayden. It's about my dad and the journaling tells about how hard it's always been to get pictures of him and includes a few recent funny shots.

"Hair Today" is based on a sketch by Lisa Hidy. I turned the sketch upside down to make this LO. I loved Reese's headband and curls on Thanksgiving.

Reese is becoming a popular topic in my albums! I had to do one more of her from Thanksgiving for Kevin's album. The challenge was to scraplift a design team member and I lifted Carrie Postma. (She's also the owner of Paper Trunk.)There is a "TV Time" challenge to use either the title of a TV show or some other inspiration from it. I used an Informercial - hey, they are on TV! Blake asked for and received a Snuggie for Christmas. I think they are the craziest thing ever. (I mean, really...it's just a housecoat worn backwards!) He talked me into putting it on Christmas afternoon and Kevin snapped these pics for me. See the Dec. tag in the upper corner... I've had it for years. It's so nice to use something old.

The home decor challenge had me stumped until I was looking through my alphabet sticker baskets and I noticed a plain white waiting-to-be altered A that I bought over a year ago. I covered it simply in a fun striped paper by October Afternoon and simply added a couple flowers and an old bottle cap looking brad by K&Co. It's a nice accent in my newly redesigned scrap area.

I think I have two or three challenges left if I want to finish them all. Check back to see if I can get them all finished!

January Personal Scrapper kit layout

As soon as I opened my January kit from Personal Scrapper, I knew I had to scrap these photos of Reese with it! We watched her on Black Friday while my sister went shopping and Kevin pulled out a disco ball ornament to entertain her with. She loved it. I loved her expression!

I love having two boys, but have to admit that I really enjoy getting my girlie fix when Reese is around. :)

On another note...it's finally Friday!!! And...we have a THREE-DAY WEEKEND! Woo-hoo! I plan to get some scrapping done.

Happy Scrappin' to you all! :)

New Scrappin' {Sports} Stuff layouts with "Junior"

Four sheets of patterned paper and some embellishments can really stretch a long way!

This month I ordered American Crafts paper, printed chipboard and Letterman Thickers for my design team assignments from Scrappin' {Sports} Stuff. I used these products on both birthday and sports pages. Since Blake's 7th birthday party was football themed, I scrapped a 2-page layout for his album about his cake and cupcakes and a single page of the whole party for Kevin's album.

After the birthday pages were out of the way, I got back to sports. I paired Blake's "official" photo from '08 with a couple shots from the Opening Day ceremony.I had several other photos from Opening Weekend, so I made an additional 2-pager.

To finish out my photos from that weekend for Blake, I made a page of his game in that tournament. To keep it to one page, I cropped several photos into circles. Check out the store at Scrappin' {Sports} Stuff for items used on these layouts and for all your sports themed layout needs.

Earth Love and scallops...

I have a confession to make...

When I saw the Cosmo Cricket "Earth Love" paper line, I felt no love at all for it. None.

Was not a fan.

Then on Friday, I received my new Personal Scrapper kit and inside the box was a crop prize bag. It contained a few "Earth Love" papers. And I liked them. I really did. I think it helped that I'd recently picked up some prints from last month (Thanksgiving) that I instantly thought would work with these papers.

On Saturday, I pulled out the prize bag and matched the papers up with cardstock. I was able to finish four layouts in no time. I just had to add titles using a bit of this and that from my (too large?) alphabet stash.

First, I scrapped pics of the boys "leaving their prints" in the concrete foundation for my dad's new grain bin. It brought back good memories of when I was asked to also leave my mark in concrete when I was growing up. My sister Kaitlin and her fat cat Chase just crack me up. That poor cat did NOT like his Pilgrim hat on Thanksgiving!

And this is sweet Reese, my niece. I love her. Tom thinks she's cute, too. She's a doll! Blake loves Reese, too! I'm not leaving Kevin out! I knew I had another photo of him with Reese on Thanksgiving. I actually have three of them and now that I've located them all, a new layout using this line will soon be in the works.

Thanks Erica for sending me something I needed!

I'd also like to send a thank you to Deana for inspiring me with her recent blog posts to use scallops. :)