My Paper Posies Challenge...

I really enjoyed the opportunity to be guest designer for Paper Posies this month. They asked me to create a challenge, too. That was easy...

With so many great patterns in the kit, it was hard to decide which side of each paper to use on a layout. Then it was hard to narrow down which patterns to include on a single page.

So, my challenge was to make it easy and to try to use at least 5 patterns on a single layout.
I used SEVEN different patterns on my layout "Hey Cupcake(s)."

My circle punch came in handy.

In other news, I loved the trim in the kit.

And the buttons.

And flowers.

And who can forget the GREAT set of black and white alphas.

It was a great kit to work with. Thanks again for the opportunity Paper Posies!

Happy Camper...

I was a happy camper when I opened up my designer box from Scrappin' {Sports} Stuff full of the new "Happy Camper" line by Imaginisce.

With two boys in scouts and one that camps out every month, I NEEDED this line!My first project with the line was a 2-pager to document Blake's trip to summer camp this year. EVERYTHING on this layout is from the line. I just added some kraft paper and pop dots.

The papers are adorable and the diecuts make great little embellishments.

The word diecuts made some quick titles, too.

I was also able to get his April camp out scrapped. I simply made a 4x6 photo collage and then cut it apart to arrange on the page.

This layout came together fast!

The line was also good for just plain ol' backyard fun as seen in "outdoor fun."

I love adding little accents in my corners. (Added a set of My Little Shoebox alphas mixed with some American Crafts.)

The Sticker Stackers make great, easy journaling boxes.

I squeezed in one more layout from a camp out. The boys were working on a merit badge. I finally used the K&Co wood alphas I'd been hoarding for too long. (I HAD to have them...then never opened them...)

I finished this one off with another Sticker Stacker for my journaling.

I still have so many products from this line to use. I just need to find time to scrapbook. I just don't seem to have enough time these days...

Happy scrappin'!

I {heart} New York - Part 3

It's finally Friday and I wish I was jetting off to NYC for another fun weekend.

However, since we don't have anything scheduled this weekend, I have to admit that staying home sounds pretty good, too!

But...I would like to share more NYC layouts with you. (All of the projects I'm sharing today used Studio Calico products either from their product lines or from their monthly kits.)

The first stop on my guided tour that day (thanks Laurie & Connie!!!) while Tom was in meetings was to Grand Central Station...

The shops at Grand Central Station were amazing, so I didn't argue when the suggestion was made to stop for a snack. I just had trouble deciding what to get. So... I got a canoli AND a cupcake. (The best cupcake I've ever eaten.)

We finally met up with Tom for lunch. We met at Rockefeller Center. !!! In front of the CHRISTMAS TREE. All day I had to keep reminding myself that I WAS REALLY THERE!!!

After Tom was finished with his meetings for the day, we headed to Times Square to wait in line for discounted show tickets. Needless to say, as it was my first time IN TIMES SQUARE (!!!), I took a fair amount of photos. I had to make a 2-page layout to share them. And since this layout makes me happy, I have a few extra little details to share with you...

And there's one last layout to share today - another 2-pager. This layout documents my first dinner in NYC. It was quite memorable...not only did the waiter surprise with a dessert plate to celebrate our anniversary, but since the tables were so close together, my purse knocked over a woman's water glass as we were being seated. I was horrified! But, the restaurant was a cool sight to see, the food was AMAZING, and the icing on the cake was coming home to catch it on an episode of 'Sex & the City' a couple months later. Neat, huh?

This reminds me that I didn't meet my goal of completing my NYC album over summer vacation. I need to get scrapping...

Tom is 42!

This week Tom turned 42. The boys made his cake all by themselves. It was chocolate with chocolate funfetti icing. They added the sugar letter decorations to spell out "Happy Birthday Dad 42" and put the candles on in the shape of a 4 and a 2. Tom loved it.

He also loved the special gift they gave him...

They took a baseball and wrote "To the Best Coach/Dad in the World!" on it and signed both of their names. Then they put it in a case for him to take to his office. For dinner, we had chicken & dumplings. Yes, in August heat. But, it was Tom's birthday so it was his pick. I'm not sure it beat out the year we had chili out at the picnic table or not!

Birthdays are fun in our house!

I {heart} New York - Part 2

There comes a time when you realize you can't scrap EVERY photo on a layout.

That time came for me when I was in the planning stages of my NYC album. I wanted to include (almost) every photo from the trip, but realized not every photo was "scrap-worthy." To me, I scrap photos that need to tell a story. Instead of spending hours editing my photos into smaller sizes or making them into photo collages to be used on layouts, I opted to use the American Crafts photo pages for my albums. Each side holds six 4x6 photos. By mixing these protectors in with regular 12x12 scrapbook layout page protectors, I am able to include traditional layouts of our trip's photos and also the less "scrap-worthy" photos, too.

The first 6-up page in my album includes photos of the great variety of food at the marketplace in Grand Central Station. (I get hungry every time I look at it!) I still had a short story to go with these photos so I created a 4x6 "mini page" for one of the photo pockets. (I used Studio Calico supplies.)The food photos carried over to the next page.

I made another mini page to give more details. For a page of random buildings/sights, I took an even more simple approach and simply used a 4x6 journal card by Simple Stories to give details. St. Patrick's Cathedral...

Macy's...Macy's window display...

With my photo pages mixed in with regular layouts, I feel like I'm getting more accomplished. I'm not wasting a lot of time figuring out how to scrap random photos. I feel like the photos with an important story or incredible shots fall into place on their own quickly. Now I am also quickly documenting less important photos, too.

I had wanted to finish this album before the end of summer. Now, my goal is to finish this year!

Back to School...

School started last Wednesday. Our boys were ready to get going that first morning. We are lucky to have two boys that enjoy school.

We posed for our traditional "1st day" photos. One with Mom and one with Dad. I believe this is the last year I'll be taller than Blake!

The boys both had a great day. They liked their teachers and were happy to see all their friends again. The high school schedule changed this year and I am later getting home, so I missed seeing Blake get off the bus this year. (For some reason, they were on different busses the first day.) I got to see Kevin though. This kid just makes me smile!

Three days were easy to get through last week. This week we have a FULL, FIVE day week. I think we'll survive though!

I {heart} New York - Part 1

In December, after nearly 16 years of hearing Tom say, "One of these days, I'll take you to New York City..." I finally went with him!

It was four amazing days. I could NEVER live there, but it sure was fun to be a tourist! This summer, I decided it was time to make an album of our trip. I thought I'd have a lot of free time on my hands with school out. HA! The boys kept me pretty busy!

Today is "opening day" at school for staff, so I'm technically back to school even though students start until Wednesday. My NYC album is far from finished, but it is nice to have it started. Now, I'd like to share a few of my pages.

My first page is a shot of us at the airport. I thought it was a fitting way to start the album and tell a little background info about our trip. I used a mixture of Studio Calico and Simple Stories products on this layout. I love Studio Calico alphas...Here's another self-portrait on page 2. (You'll be seeing a lot of these!) I had to share my first glimpses (from the airplane) of New York.

(Everything on this page is by Studio Calico.)

Next up is a page of some of the first big sights we saw on our drive from the airport.

(Layout is combination of Simple Stories, Studio Calico and a film strip ribbon by Tim Holtz.)

Riding in a NYC cab is an experience in itself and deserved it's own page t otell the story! That lower photo shows a school bus right.on.top. of the side of the cab I was sitting on. !!!

(Layout is almost all Studio Calico with some Simple Stories, an old scrap of Scenic Route grid paper,

Basic Grey mini black alphas and SMASH tape.)

I also had to do a page about my two wonderful tour guides that showed me around town while Tom was busy in meetings on day one. They were too good to me!

(Layout is completed using Basic Grey background paper, Jillibean Soup tag, and all other products are Studio Calico.)

Well, there you have the first few pages. I'll share more soon.

Hi ho, hi ho, it's off to work I go...