Happy Blessed Sunday!
I have been working on some Faithbooking this weekend, and wanted to share my creations with everyone.


Amy, over at Birds of a Feather, asked me to work with some of this It Takes Two product to see what I could create. At first I was unsure because of the background designs, but once I threw myself into the whole process, I was amazed at how easy everything was to use!

This first layout is my favorite. I totally love the background colors and the scripture. Wanting to keep the background heart, I printed out the three pictures of the kids and Jon, and layered them within the heart, itself. I then went looking for ribbon and flowers. The flower spray is from Prima and is something I've had for a while. I added the purple rose (again, from Prima) and some rhinestone bling. To finish it up, I took a scripture sticker and cut it apart to fit into the journaling spot.

This next layout was the one that really pushed me to try some new things. I loved the colors, but it was hard to match the exact colors. So, I misted the background paper with white paint and then found bazzill that matched. I misted the cs, too, then went over the cs with Shimmerz (angel wings). I've had this Shimmerz for several years, and was amazed at how easy and fun it was to use. I just painted it where I wanted, using my paint brush to get just the right amount of coverage.

The picture is one I took of the kids and Jon this past spring. I thought that it was perfect with this scripture. I layered the picture under part of the scripture (which I fussy cut) and then took another scripture sticker and fit some of it the butterfly and the rest on a journaling spot. I dug in my stash for more Prima flowers and leafs to finish out the layout.

The third layout was created using a picture of my dd, taken on Christmas Eve, back in 2002. She was just a month old, and again, I thought it was perfect with the scripture on the background paper. Loving the design on this one, too, I stayed with the heart. I went ahead and fussy cut some hearts from the background paper (under the picture) and used them to layer with the other chipboard hearts. The chipboard pieces were also covered with paper cut from under the picture. The KC wooden flower/flourish element was painted white and then covered with more Shimmerz. I added a couple of Prima flowers from my stash, along with some ribbon.

This last layout was pretty fun to create. I used this picture that I took of the kids last week. I added the stitched circles to help mimic the background pattern. I then found some cardstock to use as the bracket and the journaling spot. I went ahead and added more Shimmerz to the cardstock, to help it blend in with the paper. I then added some white doodles and cut apart another scripture sticker to add to the journaling spot. Throw in some more Prima flowers and leafs, and the layout was complete.

Okay, it's another HOT and HUMID day here in southern Ohio, so I'm thinking it's about time to hit the pool (again). Have a wonderful Sunday and stay cool!

Just a quick post today. I really am trying to be a better blogger, and the summer time is the best time to get into any kind of habit :)

Anyway, I just wanted to share the major home improvement project going on at my house, right now. See, when we moved in almost 16 years ago, we immediately discovered that we had a wet basement. The old part of the basement (the original cellar) has a weeping wall, and the front part (newer section) has water coming in from several different places. We tried lots of waterproofing products, but nothing helped. So, this summer, Jon decided to tear up the yard, down the side of the house where the water comes in at, and fix the problem. So, we started with a huge hole, that uncovered some cracked cinder block that the past owners knew about, but never fixed. After about a month of this huge hole sitting there, Jon finally moved forward with the trench. Let's just say that when he decides to do something, he goes all out!

Here are some pictures of this ongoing project:

This is day "two", that is, the day that he finally decided to move forward from the hole. Note, Kal was right down in the hole with Jon, "helping". Actually, he did a great job.

This is the next day. I have to say, I am impressed with the amount of ground Jon can cover. Please note, Smokey is now King of the Dirt :)

And these pictures were taken yesterday. Jon and Zack finally made it to the other corner of the house.Now, here's hoping that we get this project finished before everyone heads back to school on July 18th!

Have a great Saturday!

Happy Hump Day, All! I just wanted to take a few minutes and share some of my latest creations. This weekend was the Housewarming crop over at Birds of a Feather and I am so happy that I was able to finish all eight of the challenges.


This first layout was created for a get messy challenge. I had several false starts, and ended up using lots and lots of mist. I took these pictures of the kids back in 2004.

This next layout was completed for a distressing challenge. I love this line from Bo Bunny and felt that it was perfect for this heritage layout. I inked and distressing all of the paper.


This is the first layout I created for the distressing challenge, but since this AMAZING Sassafras Lass paper is comes this way, I felt like I was cheating. However, the layout was perfect for these pictures of my antique (and new to me) sewing cabinet and 1942 White Westinghouse Sewing Machine.

This was the hardest challenge for me. We had a recipe, and the recipe included a banner and a tag (along with some other things). Here's the thing. I don't do tags and I don't do banners. I don't really like banners and struggle with both. This layout actually took most of Sunday to complete. I used these pictures of Miss Taylor from 2004. I had never scrapped them because she wasn't looking at the camera, but thought they were perfect for these papers.

This layout was created for a challenge where we had to do a layout of an inanimate object. I love doing these types of layouts, so the only real challenge was what subject to scrap. I had taken these pictures of my classroom last week and decided they were the ones to use. I also used the current Scrapbook Circle kit for this...the Simple Stories papers and embellies were perfect!

This layout was for a challenge where we had to use a color that we seldom use for scrapping and we had to fussy cut (which I love to do!) I went with purple as my color...hardly ever scrap with it but love it...and then fussy cut all of the elements on the page from some Basic Grey Wisteria papers. These are more older pictures of Taylor. She loves that swing at my mom's.

This layout was created for the sketch challenge. I found this quote over at Pinterest and knew I had to use a paraphrased version of it on a layout for my oldest. Zack has such a natural talent for the game of soccer and I want him to know that I support him in his dreams to play as much and as long as possible. I went pretty basic with this one and only used a touch of soccer themed paper.

This layout was done for a layout about what we did this summer. I immediately thought of all the time I've spent in the car this summer. Usually, I go home the last day of school and hibernate for the summer, hiding away from the world. However, with all of Zack's soccer stuff and all of my teeth issues, plus the garden and Wally World runs, I've spent more time in my
Denali then I have in my pool!

This last layout was created for a Go Big Challenge. We had to use a picture that was at least 5x7 or larger. Since I love to use big pictures, so another easy one for me. I used some of the yummy new Out of Print papers and embellies from Basic Grey, these pictures of my kids playing in the rain from 2006 and one of my favorite Michael W. Smith songs, "Let it Rain".



I hope everyone is having a great Wednesday!

Just a quick reminder:

There are still a few days to head over to XOXO and pick a layout to lift. If you get one finished and linked to the blog by the end of the month, you are eligible for a great prize.

Also, if you are in the mood to scrap, head over to Birds of a Feather for a Housewarming Crop. There are several challenges posted by the new DT and you have until midnight on Wednesday to get your challenges completed (how great is that?)

Okay, off to finish a layout and then figure out the rest of the day! Have a great one, and if you are living somewhere with all the oppressive heat and humidity (like me) stay cool!

Happy Friday Eve!

I've been working furiously on my Project 12 layouts. I am happy to say that I have totally finished my layouts for 2010! And, I only have to do February and I will be caught up with all of my Project 12 layouts for 2011.

I have to say, this has been a wonderful project, and I've loved looking back over all of last years pictures. The journaling part was also pretty simple. Add to that the fact that you are given a sketch to follow and it makes for a super easy project.

Okay, here is my 2010 Project 12 Reveal:

January: I used some favorite Bo Bunny papers on this, glitter, (on the snowflakes and on the background paper and grey trim)

February: I had fun using the Making Memories items on this one. From the pp, to the glitter paper (so glad I FINALLY found a way to use that) to the frames.

March: For this month, I used more from my stash. I've had that flocked paper and patterned paper for at least a year. Again, so glad I found a way to use them.

April: For this month, I used a Polka Dot Whimsy kit. I would have never used those papers on a normal layout, but they just seemed perfect for this project.

May: For May, I again dug into my stash. I used lots of old paper, cardstock (which I seldom use anymore), trim, flowers and lots and lots of rubons.

June: June was perfect for some Basic Grey. I love this company and this project has been a wonderful way to dig into my stash of BG and just go to town.

July: Again, lots and lots of Basic Grey! I love how easy this layout was to create and love that this month had room for lots of pictures.

August: For this month, I went with some fun new Jillibean Soup items. I REALLY love the colors of this line!

September: For this month I grabbed a kit from Scrapbook Circle. I've been holding on to this one (mainly because I didn't know what to do with it), and it turns out that it was perfect for the month of September.

October: Ah...I have to say, one of my favorites. I just LOVE this Teressa Collins line! The colors are amazing and working with them was so easy!

November: This is my other favorite. I started out using some papers from the November Birds of a Feather kit club. Lots of distressing (inking) and of course, Prima flowers.

And Finally....December: Another month that used lots of pictures (which was good because I had a ton from my December Daily project). I grabbed my stash of Girls' Papier Tinsel and Twig line and had tons of fun putting this one together.

I have to admit, that I didn't follow every single sketch to the "T", and not all of my layouts look alike. However, I'm okay with that...because that's my true scrapping style. I've also loved using lots of my stash and working my way through some of my extra kits that have been laying around, just waiting for the perfect layout.

Okay, it's now Friday morning and I have an early morning date with my son and soccer conditioning...so I'm off to bed!