HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!!

Okay, I have to admit that we don't really celebrate Valentine's Day at our house. I'm not sure why, but dh and I have never really been super crazy about this holiday. I always say I expect him to tell/show me he loves me very day....not just on Valentine's day.

Anyway, I did want to let everyone know about the upcoming Red Hot Crop over at From Here to Scrapternity. It's going to be three days of challenges, games, fellowship and fun! I sure hope you can come join us, and if you aren't a member of the board, all you need to do is sign up and we will get you activated ASAP.

Okay, since I have some free time this afternoon, I decided to share some of my latest creations. I've been working my way through several challenges, over at SAS, at Birds of a Feather, and of course, at Scrapternity. I'm also having tons of fun using up my stash of kits!

Snow Day:
This layout was created using my awesome prize kit from SAS. I would have never ordered these Crate papers on my own, but have had so much fun using them! I took this picture of Taylor during one of our December snow days.

Healthy - Get, Stay, Be:
This layout was created for several resolution challenges. 2011 is the year I want to get healthy. Yes, I NEED to lose weight, but I also want to get active, eat better and drink more water, too. I created this whole layout using old BG, tags and flowers from my stash.

Him & Her:This layout was created using a sketch from Page Maps. I love this picture of my dh and dd, and LOVE this line of Christmas paper from Lily Bee (a new favorite line of mine!!!)

Identical Looks:

This is my current FAVORITE layout! I had so much fun using all the paint on this one! I created this for a stash challenge over at Birds of a Feather, and have to admit that now I'm addicted to using bubble wrap and paint on my layouts :D
This is my dh and dd (again). The picture was taken in 2006, and I was amazed at the fact that they had identical looks on their faces. And, they are still two peas in a pod!

Family Rules:

I created this layout using the January kit from Birds of a Feather. This is the first kit I've received from Amy, and I LOVED it! The papers worked so well together. This layout was also used for a Croppy Cat challenge over at SAS, and will go into my Faithbook album.

Pretty Princess:
I loved Amy's kits, so went and picked up her November kit. This layout was created using that kit. The only things I added were the flowers (yellow/brown), the trim and the overlay (corner pieces). Lots of fussy cutting on this one and I loved the Webster's Pages.

I Expect Us 2 Show Our Love Every Day Not Just on Valentine's Day:I created this layout for the Lovebird crop over at Birds of a Feather. We had a recipe to use, and I also used an older kit from My Creative Scrapbook (with lots of added alphas, flowers, bling and trim).

Love You:Another layout created for the Lovebird Crop. This was a picture challenge, and I pulled my inspiration from the colors and the fact that there were two birds in the picture. I loved using this green paper from my stash, and then adding all the black and white elements (which I pulled totally from my stash).

Good morning, All! It's been a crazy month with lots of snow days, two hour delays and jury duty here in southern Ohio! I love the snow, but it sure wreaks havoc with my classroom!
In other news, the latest Lipstick Chick challenge has gone live! There are lots of awesome layouts from the DT, and the prize this month is super yummy, too!
Here is my layout for the month of February:


I was so happy that I was able to create this layout using scraps from my stash. Several of the papers are at least two years old. The picture was taken after Taylor's Christmas program in December. The title of the layout is: All Because I Dared to Believe in Love.

And, here is a peak at the prize for this month:

Our sponsor is CANDY SHOPPE DESIGNS. In order to be eligible for this prize, all you need to do is pick one of the awesome DT layouts from the XOXO blog, scraplift it, and post your version over at the XOXO blog. Easy, right?
Also, you can head over to Candy Shoppe Designs and join their BLOG HOP MEME all month long in February for a second chance at winning this prize package filled with sweetness!
Let me tell you, I've played with this kit and it is super yummy!
Okay, time to be productive. However, I will be back later to share some of my latest creations. This weekend I participated in an online crop over at Birds of a Feather and had so much fun!
Have an awesome Wednesday!!!

I'm a New Lipstick Chick!!!
I was so excited when I found out that Lynnette picked me to be a part of the Lipstick Chick's challenge blog DT!!
For those of you not familiar with this particular blog, it's a scraplift challenge blog. Each month, each Lipstick Chicks creates a layout. On the 7th of each month, the layouts are posted and then you get to pick one (or more) to lift. You have the entire month to create your layout and link it back to the Lipstick blog. At the end of the month, a winner is picked to receive an awesome scrapping gift...easy as that!

Now, without any further ado, here is my very first Lipstick Chick DT layout:


Now, you need to know that this month's challenge is live, so just head on over to the Lipstick Chick's blog and browse through all the awesome layouts, pick one....and lift away!!
To sweeten the pot? This month's prize if from Sweet Peach Crop Shop!


SWEET PEACH CROP SHOP is a unique monthly scrapbook kit club that provides you with the latest and greatest scrapbook supplies. Sweet Peach Crop Shop offers 3 different kits each month: A "SWEET" Featured kit, a coordinating "Embellishment" kit and a "JUICY" Themed kit. Each kit has a perfect mixture of current trends and classic styles and will be a surprise to your senses with it's unique flavors and textures. The kits from Sweet Peach Crop Shop are purposely designed to keep your creativity flowing! Join the Sweet Peach Crop Shop scrapbook kit club today and let them help you preserve your memories!

I just wanted to take a moment to wish everyone a safe and happy New Year's Eve.
I also hope that you all have a blessed 2011.

Happy Hump Day, All!
We are still on Christmas break, at least until Monday, so today the kids, Mom and I headed up to Columbus to visit my grandpa. The plan was to take him out to lunch, but he wasn't feeling well, so we did a few chores for him and then headed to lunch without him.
Now I'm working on my very first XOXO DT assignment, but wanted to share this mini album that I created for my Aunt Mary. Mary is currently dealing with her second round of colon cancer. She's only 49 years old, has three boys in middle and high school and is trying to teach full time (she used up all of her days on her first fight with cancer 4 years ago). I made this little book so that she could have a little bit of inspiration on those days when she's totally down and out.
I used my Prima packages for the pages, then just added Prima journaling spots from the Fairy Flora Collection, along with journaling stickers, rub-ons and flowers from the same line. Add a little bit of trim, flowers and bling from my stash and this album was created.

I hope everyone had a wonderful and blessed Christmas. Life has been totally crazy around the Harper household the past few weeks and I haven't had much time to do any blogging. We had school until the end of the day on the 21st, and then there were several scrapping presents that I had to start and/or finish....needless to say it was pretty stressful until Monday of this week.
Now I'm feeling the after Christmas blues and am hoping to dispel them with some scrapping in the next few days.
So, now to share those scrappy gifts that I created this year:
The first one was for my wonderful in-laws. They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary this year and I FINALLY got my hands on their wedding pictures. They only bought 8 of them, so I figured I would put them onto layouts. I used lots of sketches (THANK YOU, Creative Scrappers) and several of my scrapping kits to create these layouts:

Besides the album, I also made a couple of photo wreaths for my mom and my grandfather. I got the idea from a Gooseberry Patch magazine and they were so much fun to make!
This one was for my mom:
And this one is for my grandpa:

Okay, now I'm off to work on a layout. Have a wonderful Tuesday!

Happy Tuesday Evening, All!
I just finished up a couple of scrapping projects and couldn't wait to share (plus, who really wants to do dishes when there is scrapping to be done?)
Between the snow day yesterday and the two hour delay today, I was able to get some scrapping done these past couple of days.
This first layout was created for a SSU class over at SAS. The class was on Upcycling scrapping packages. I have tons of pretty Prima packages, and decided that the doilies were just too pretty to pass up. I used one of them on this layout. The small doily on the side is the one from the package.
I used my December Scrapbook Circle kit for this layout and an awesome sketch from Creative Scrappers (#126):


This wreath is similar to one that I saw in a Gooseberry Patch magazine and decided to try. I used lots of old Daisy D papers on here and even threw on some Prima backing (the smaller greenish circles). I really love how this turned out and may create a couple for Christmas gifts for next year:


This final layout is for the last SSU class; Painting. I REALLY had issues with this one since letting paint fly is NOT something I'm very good at doing (OCD and all that) So, this isn't totally wild and crazy, but for me it's a start.
I created this layout for Zack. He's going to be 14 in a couple months and I can't believe how quickly the time is flying by me. I just wanted something fun and funky to reflect how I see him, and this layout was born:



Okay, I'm off to clean up the kitchen and then work on school stuff (lesson plans and grading, here I come......) Have a wonderful Tuesday night and stay warm out there!

Snow Day/Two Hour Delay...yep, that's what we've had so far this week. We had snow come through this weekend, and picked p several inches of white stuff. Add to that blowing wind and freezing temps, and we were off yesterday.
Today, the snow is under control, but the temperature is only at 3 degrees...that's right, 3 degrees...so we are currently on a two hour delay.
While I love snow days, the fact that we are dealing with all of this in December doesn't bode well for us, since we usually don't have delays or snow days until later in January or in February.
On the other hand, I did get some scrapping done, yesterday. I finished my next-to-last SSU "assignment" over at {SAS} and created a photo wreath (as seen in Gooseberry Patch).
Now I just need to find some sunshine so that I can get pictures and get them posted.
Before I go, make sure you jump over to XOXO for their new December scraplift challenge. There are more awesome layouts to pick for this challenge and the prize is from Candy Shoppe Designs.
Have a great Tuesday and keep warm out there!

I WON!!!
Happy Thursday, All! I just had to let everyone know that I actually won the November XOXO Scraplift challenge! I was so shocked when I found out yesterday; it really made my Wednesday so much better. I love the prize, but most of all I love the layout that I created. Thanks to all that voted for me...I'm so glad you liked what I created.
I did get a better picture of the layout, along with a close up, so decided to share it (since the first picture was kind of dark...thank you, rain!):



On another note, I FINALLY broke down and tried misting on a layout (yea...nothing like being one of the last to the party....). I love the NewSong song, "Light Your World" and wanted to use it on a layout. I got all the lyrics written...and then NOTHING would come together on the layout. I worked on that baby for three days, and finally Tuesday night out of total frustration I just pulled out a mask and some mist and just went to town. Can I just say that I now LOVE misting?!?
Here is the layout I created, inspired by an awesome {SAS}sy SSU class hosted by Nadine over at SAS:
Can I just say that the colors are REALLY off...it's really cream, brown and black, but for some reason the sunlight was not working with me yesterday.
Okay, it's after 10pm and 6am will be here way too soon tomorrow...but at least it's Friday!
Have a great night, all!

Good Sunday Morning, All!
I hate to admit that I haven't had time to scrap this weekend like I had hoped. Yesterday Zack had a double header for indoor soccer, so we were gone from 10am until almost 3pm. Once home, I started cleaning the house and continued decorating. After that it was a run to Home Depot to pick up more stuff for my new scrapping desk (including paint) and then home to finally clean up my scrapping space.
Today I MUST work on laundry...but hope (fingers crossed) to get some scrapping done. I have a new scrapping order (just came yesterday) full of goodies and several layouts already starting to take place in my mind.
I do want to let you know that all of the December challenges have been loaded over at From Here 2 Scrapternity. Also, instead of a crop this month, Ms. Pam and I have decided that anyone that completes a December challenge will have her name placed into a drawing for a scrapping prize at the end of the month!
Okay...off to start the laundry. Have a blessed Sunday!

Happy Thursday, All!
We are now into December, and I don't know about anyone else, but I am more then ready for some serious Holiday cheer! The house is slowly getting all decked out for Christmas (I just have a couple more rooms to decorate and ornaments on the main tree) and to make things even better, we are expecting some accumulating snow this weekend!!!
All of this means, of course, that I will have lots of scrapping time this weekend, and with my challenge folder overflowing (plus lots of new challenges over at From Here 2 Scrapternity and Scrap Attack Scrapbooking just posted for the month of December) I will have tons of mojo!
So, anyone want to join me in scrapping this weekend?

Okay, before I head off to grade more papers, I want to share some of my current favorite creations. I've been working on challenges, and sketches and SSU classes, and have created several layouts that I really love.


I created this for a menu challenge. I used the playing cards to represent my dh and I (2), my kids (3) and our entire family (5). After doing that, I knew I needed a card playing kind of title, with lead me to this one:
This layout was created for a SSU class over at SAS. The class was all about using alcohol inks. I've had some for a couple of years, but never knew what to do with them. Nadine's awesome tips helped me to get over my fear and just play. These are pictures of me and dh, from our engagement picture, to our wedding, then one taken about four years ago and finally one taken last year at Christmas.
Here is another layout created for an SSU class. This one was all about journaling. I don't ever have trouble journaling on my layouts (it has to be the English teacher in me), but often feel like I do the same thing over and over. So, I broke out of my funk with this layout and actually let the kids do their own journaling (ack....that was soooo hard for me to do) and I have to admit that I love the finished project!
I did this layout for a color challenge. We had to use neutrals and only one accent color. I loved how all the neutrals really made the accent color just pop! This is a picture of Miss Taylor back in 2004, on her second birthday.

This is a sketch from Sketch Inspiration. This is a pretty new sketch site for me, and I just LOVE all their sketches. I also had so much fun using these awesome SEI papers!

Finally, another sketch, this time using an awesome one from JJ over at SAS. I created this special layout for my grandmother. She passed away almost two years ago, and right before Thanksgiving it hit me just how much I miss her in my life. My journaling is tucked behind the largest picture of my grandmother.

Okay...my last block of the day is coming in and I'm off to expand those young 8th grade minds.
Have a blessed Thursday!

It's almost December, and with the end (for the most part) of soccer I am finding more and more time to scrap. I'm also finding more and more awesome online challenges to help get my mojo back up and running!
This layout I created for the current scraplift challenge over at XOXO. This is one awesome site of super talented women, who provide amazing layouts each month for other to lift. The added perk for me this month is that the prize is an AWESOME kit put together by Ms. Lauri over at Scrap Attack Scrapbooking!!! (Can you tell I'm excited about that? Lauri always has amazing kits, and this one is no different).

Here is my layout, created using amazing layout by Nichole Brenna (and I do mean amazing!) as my inspiration. Sorry the picture is a little dark; it's been raining all day and I had to take the picture inside :(

This was my first time visiting the XOXO site, but it's now added to my bookmarks and I will be visiting every month to see the fabulous layouts that the Lipstick Chicks Design Team create!

Have a wonderful Tuesday, all!

Are you ready to Crop?
I know I am, and I sure hope that I get lots of scrapping time this weekend (in between the 5oth anniversary party, soccer, soccer, and yes, soccer).

There are two AWESOME crops this weekend if you are looking for some fun. Ms. Pam and I are hosting a Fall-O-Ween crop over at Scrapternity. There are lots of challenges and games. I've seen the list of challenges, and they are AWESOME!!! The crop will run from today until Sunday, with all finished layouts/challenges due by Monday night.

The second crop is over at Scrap Attack Scrapbooking and it's a mini crop. The fun starts on Saturday and it's a Scrap Pink theme. There will be lots of awesome challenges (with a precrop challenge already posted using an awesome sketch from Creative Scrappers) and even a raffle for one AMAZING pink scrapping prize!

So, I sure hope that you can join me at one (or hopefully both) sites for some amazing scrapping fun!!!

Creative Scrappers are celebrate their 125th sketch! Along with the awesome sketch, they are offering up a wonderful chance to win some prizes.

Here is the sketch:

Here is my take on the sketch. I took another opportunity to scrap some soccer pictures, since that's what my entire life is composed of, right now! I took this picture of Zack this past weekend at the Cincy Challenge Tournament. He FINALLY got to play the entire tournament as a Forward, his favorite position and he's had to work harder than ever to prove that he can play in that position.

So, if you are a sketch lover like me, head on over to Creative Scrappers and check out their celebration of sketch 125, along with all their other wonderful sketches!!!