Scrappin' Your Stash

I'm up on the Let's Capture Our Memories Blog today.

The excitement of CHA can be felt all over the scrappy web.  It's always so exciting to see what our favorite manufacturers have come up with to delight our scrappy senses.  I know I'm not the only one who struggles with balancing wanting more new goodness and using up the goodness we still have in our stash.  As much as we want to bring brand new scrappy goodness into our home, we have a slight sense of guilt over all the scrappy supplies we still have piled up, staring us in the face ever time we sit down to scrap.  For today's post, I thought it may be a good idea to showcase a couple of ideas to help us use up some of that stash to make room for some of the new CHA goodness we've got our eye on.  So I gathered up my Crate Paper Pretty Party Collection pack, and some other random supplies that have been gathering dust in my space and got to work.

First an altered tin.  Add a little Mod Podge, eliminate a few things here and there, and voila a cute little tin for my 10 year old girly, girl to keep her treasures in.

Next up a layout.

This design uses 10 different strips of paper.  It's not a new design by any means but efficient in helping you to make a dent in that stash of yours.  Have a look and you'll see what I mean.

To create this design I began by using a lightweight piece of cardboard I recycled from my pocket page protectors packaging.

I cut the piece of cardboard to 12" x 6.75".  I then marked the center point on the cardboard and drew angular lines about every two inches all the way around.

Next I sliced the pieces apart, and numbered them so that I could replicate it easily once the pieces of patterned paper were cut out.  This will also allow you to keep, and reuse the pieces over, and over again.

Because the traced pieces are always slightly larger than the original there will be a tiny bit of overlapping at the center.  This is easily covered up once you put your layout together.   I like the look of stitching on my pages, and this is a great design for it.

Remember we're trying to use up our stash, so I've layered several die cut shapes,  and boarder stickers that came with the collection around my photos.

And here is the final product.

The photos are from Tuesday when two of my longest standing friends came over for the afternoon.  It had been a long time since we'd all been together.  Hover your mouse over the photo to read the journaling.

I hope I've been able to inspire you to dig into your stash and put some of the scrappy goodness you've been hoarding, or just haven't gotten around to using, to good use.  What kinds of empty little containers have you been saving that could benefit from a little sprucing up with pretty paper, ribbon, and embellishments?  Canning jars?  Pringle tubes?  Little vases from the Dollarstore?  I'm sure you don't have to look too hard to find something.  And what about all those layouts you've been pinning, or adding to your favorites folders that use a lot of little bits of paper and tags, or die cuts, or journal spots?  Maybe it's time to lift one and make some room in your stash for the new goodness that's sure to arrive in the LCOM store within the next month or two.  If you do decide to tackle your stash I'd sure love to come and have a peek, be sure to link me up.


Happy scrapping friends!

Scrappy Goodness Used:
Crate Paper Pretty Party
Maya Road Vintage Butterflies
Maya Road Pins
Maya Road ribbon
Ormolu Chevron Tag
October Afternoon Sticky Keys
American Crafts Thickers
The Twinery Twine
3D Foam Squares
Other:
Petallo flower
May Arts Jute & Tulle
Tombow Adhesive


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Pieces of Me

Happy Friday the 13th friends.  Hooray for the weekend!

I've been here, there and everywhere.  Isn't that just how it seems to be in summer?  Rather than bore you with all the details, and better than not checking in at all, I thought I'd give you a quick run down of what I've been up to.

Had a layout published in Scrap Street Magazine this month.  It's all about my current musings, and wishes for myself, and my family.  Although I cannot share it here yet, you can see if for yourself here.

Eden on "our beach"

 Been out to the lake once so far.  I still love going out there, but have to face the reality that the rest of my family only puts up with it for my sake, so we will be selling our trailer this summer.  It makes me a little sad, but I know we can relax just as much in the city if we're intentional about unplugging from time to time.

This girl got braces this week.  There's some correction that needs to happen to ensure she'll have strong, healthy, and beautiful teeth to last her a lifetime.

I finally dug into the Hunger Games series, and devoured the first book in one sitting at the lake (another reason why I love going out there so much).  I have finished the first two book, and will begin the third this weekend.

Had a movie night with D recently and went to see 21 Jump.  We laughed so hard.  It was the perfect movie for us, and our  quirky sense of humor.

 Bought this little beauty the other day.  It makes me happy every time I pull out my phone.

Sent in my photos and write up for my upcoming Feature Artist spot in Scrapbook News and Review Magazine. I'll keep you posted for when if finally comes out.

This gorgeous hose is only 3 short blocks from ours, and in a few weeks it will be home to one of my favorite people in the world.  I can't wait!

Teaching these layout classes next week.  Two in the afternoon.

a mini album right on the layout

all about pennants, punches, and pinwheels

 And two in the evening of July 19th.

All about layers and misting

 If you're one of my lurkers, and would like to try your hand at scrapping, I'd love to have you come out and join me. Call The Scrapbook Cottage to register.

Girls night out for dinner at Mongo's Grill

But, mostly I've been spending lots of time with these lovely ladies.  I do not take it for granted that I get to be home with them during their summer holiday.  It is wonderful thing watching them grow.

How about you?  Anything exciting happening in your corner of the world?

Thanks for popping by today, hope you are in for a wonderful warm weekend!

♥ S.




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Pretty Party Girl

Crate Pretty party is just that, pretty, pretty papers that allow you to capture the beauty and girlieness of a 10 year old's birthday outfit perfectly.  The soft, yet distressed look to the papers are so gorgeous, the pages practically scrap themselves.  This layout came together a cluster at a time.  I love layering, and wanted to create a small cluster of layered goodies in the top right corner, and place my photo cluster to the bottom right corner.

I started with this.

The button and pink brad are from an older Crate Paper collection

I was loving the elements from the sticker sheet and wanted to use as many as I could on this layout.  It's been a while since I've hand stitched on a page, so I wanted to get that in here too.  The gorgeous Evalicious badge was the perfect element to use make this happen.

Here's a better look at all the dimension.

The photo cluster is similar, but larger.

The two doilis, lace, office tag, and alphas are from my stash

More hand stitching, more stickers, more Evalicious, and some Maya Road pins

I've hidden the journaling on the tag behind the photo.

Here is how it all came together.  A snapshot of my daughter's 10th birthday, in her pretty new outfit from her grandparents.

I added just a little more machine stitching to the corners to finish it off

Crate Pretty Party Papers and embellishments are all 40% off in  the store right now.  You can get this collection and more amazing deals here. If new is what you're looking for there are plenty of new release items to satisfy you in that department also.  Check out the new Heidi Swapp for example, it's bright, bold, and full of inspiration.  Regardless of what you're in the mood for the store has plenty to offer, you're sure to find something to suit your fancy.

We are finally off to the lake for the first time of the season.  So I'll be offline for a while.  I'm really hoping to sink my teeth way into The Hunger Games series.  I've been saving up the trilogy to read over summer holidays.  We're all ready to be unplugged for a few days.

Thanks so much for stopping by today, I'll be back soon.

♥ S.

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About my mother

It's the first Monday of the month, which means it's time for a new challenge over at Scrapping Everyday Miracles.  With this being the month we celebrate Mother's Day in North America, the challenge is focused around mothers.

Some of you may know that growing up, I was not particularly close with my mother.  All that hurt was re-ignited when I saw what the theme of the challenge was going to be this month.  I put off creating the layout for several weeks, in fact, not sure where I would begin.  When I finally sat down to create something this is what I came up with.  This photo of my 1st birthday is one of the very few I have of myself and my mother together, I chose it because it's one where she looks happiest.

Using the new Fancy Pants Be You collection

I wasn't really thrilled with how the layout turned out.  I like the papers, and the design is fine, but somehow it just felt 'not me', sterile.  I had to really think and pray about what was not sitting well with me over this layout.  What I came to realize, is that my childhood is not something I speak of often.  It's almost as though it's a untouchable part of my history.  I really felt the Lord saying to me that I had some healing to do, and that He wanted me to press into my feelings, so that He could bring about restoration.  As I allowed Him to move me, and speak to my heart I realized that denying the 'good' of my upbringing, and not acknowledging the many ways my mother did show her love for me was wrong, it was denying all the ways God had shown His love to me.  A friend recently reminded me of Romans 8:28 "and we know that in all things, God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose."   That is the truth of my childhood, and I need to give Him the glory, and give my mother praise for her part in it.  She tried her best to be a good mom to us, I have no doubt, but I didn't really see that until my firstborn came into the world.  Seeing her as a grandmother, expanded my view of her.  The way she loved my daughter, and gently held her, they way she was so supportive of me, and my parenting.  I began to see that she likely had the same amount of love and compassion for me and my brother when we were growing up.  I think that perhaps being married to my father forced her to, unknowingly keep part of herself hidden.  Living under a controlling, selfish, and irritable man changed a bit of who she really was.  Going through this process of scrapping about my mother has helped me to see, and believe that she did the best she knew how to love us, and protect us from the same upbringing she endured (broken home, infidelity, and a home where love and respect was always conditional)  I don't think she realized that the pattern was never really broken, but I believe now, that she tried her best.

Here is the same photo redone on a new, more meaningful, more 'me' layout.

Sorry that the quality looks poor, but the colours really are that muted and soft (Crate Paper)

This layout was created after processing everything.  I really sensed the Lord working through me on this one, allowing me to see my mother in a new light, His light.

I've written out the feelings I was able to articulate through this healing process on a couple of tags hidden behind the photo.

I hope that if you have a similar story of hurt and disappointment regarding your childhood and/or relationship with your mother that you have found some solace here today.  I pray that you may know the love of your Father, and hear the calling He has on you to come to Him, allowing Him into the dark places to bring healing and restoration.  You just never know the depth of peace that awaits you on the other side.

You can see what the rest of the design team did with this challenge, and get all the details on this month's gracious sponsor over here.

As schedules would have it, I am also up over at Let's Capture Our Memories today. 

 I have a fun Pink Paislee layout to share with you.  Tomorrow I'll teach you how to re-create it.

Have a blessed day friends. Pin It

Story Telling

I spent a little time yesterday creating with more Crate Storyteller from My Scrapbook Nook's April Kit.  Danni, had a Card Challenge for us this week.  There's a new Card Challenge, over at the Nook every week in fact.  This one was to create an unconventional banner on a card.  I hand cut a couple of these pieces, and simply covered tags or tickets to make the others.  That "Hello" sticker was just screaming to be used on a card.  You should see what some of the others came up with, there are some really wonderful creations in the Forum Thread.

Stacey had a layout based challenge for us .  Her April Colour Challenge had a few requirements to it.  We had to scrap about an everyday activity, include journaling, and use some sort of natural texture.

The jewelery cord is from my stash, and the reinsforcements are from the Nook Dec kit featuring the Crate Peppermint line, the mist is Studio Calico Green Apple.

I realize produce is not an "activity", but it is something that is consumed daily in our home, so I figured that was kind of the same thing.  The journaling says "Fresh produce, something I often take for granted".  I kicked myself for having adhered the double sided dimensional tape before realizing I had not put the tag through my typewriter.  It could have looked so much better.  At least it's legible.  Another reminder that perfection is overrated.

Welcome to the weekend friends.  I wish you laughter, and plenty of time to enjoy the poeple around you over the next two days.  Hope it's a good one!

♥ S.


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New Artist

I found a bunch of photos the other day that were all of the art work the girls use to do when they were little.  They all loved to draw and colour.  It started with Isabelle.  She had Barbies, and Polly Pockets, but they only got occasional play time.  Paper, and markers saw the most action with that girl.  I got wise after receiving sheet after sheet of paper beholding her sweet little creations.  You need to know, I am not a pack rat, and much to some of your chagrin, I do consider an excess of hand drawn photos (no matter how cute) clutter.  I thought it would be a wise choice to invest in a Magna Doodle.  Remember those things?  It turns out, that it was so popular a toy that the girls would actually fight over it.  We ended up owning three, one for each girl.  The result was, that rather than having to store pounds of paper with their cute little creations.  I would simply take pictures of them, and store them digitally.  It sure saved on paper, and space.  Here is Théa proudly displaying one of her drawings.

Crate Storyteller collection papers

I can still remember what she said as she showed me this.  "Mommy this is me on the swing, and you are watching me".  I loved her pre-neck and body drawings of people.  Looking at this makes my heart ache just a little.  How is it possible that 7 years have already passed since this photo?  *sigh*

This layout was created with the April Kit from My Scrapbook Nook.  Have you seen it yet?  It is jam packed, with Crate goodness.  There are a ton of coordinating add-ons included this month too.  I'm pretty sure Pam and Leah decided to treat us, because there is definitely much more goodness than usual.  This kit has got to be worth more than the $28USD paid.  Check it out for yourself here.  It's not too late to get your very own.  May is just around the corner, and promises to be yet another great kit (do I sound like a broken record already?)  There's a fabulous deal for new subscribers as well, 2 extra kits, plus a free grab bag loaded with co-coordinating goodies to match the monthly kit.  This is a great deal friends you really should take a sec to check it out.

Hope you're in a for a great day.  Thanks so much for taking the time to come by!

♥ S.

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On Parenting

First off - let me share my fantastic news with you...the list is up...and my name is actually on it!  Yay!  I feel honoured to have been included in this list of wonderfully talented woman.  Now...we play a bit, and get to know each other.  I'm not exactly sure what all to expect.  It may be the same kind of set up as last time, it may not.  Perhaps we'll be required to create new projects.  Perhaps we'll only be sharing recent or favorite projects.  I guess we'll see.  I'll be sure to keep you posted.

I have a new project to share with you today.  Carol, at My Scrapbook Nook offered up a "quote/title" challenge to us on Sunday, that had my name written all over it.  The challenge was to use a quote or a title for your layout.  I love titles, especially long ones, like quotes.  I decided that rather than starting with the quote, to begin instead with the photo, and to focus my layout on parenting.  I had this photo of the girls, and decided to look for an appropriate parenting quote to go with it.  I found this one, and knew it was perfect for the feelings the photo evoke in me. 

Using My Scrapbook Nook April kit featuring Crate Storyteller, Prima alphas, doily, and jute: from my stash

I've said before that parenting is something that I use to only dream of.  To look around the dinner table, and see all three of their beautiful faces, just overwhelms me sometimes.  Sure, they have their times where I need some space away from them (or maybe it's them who need some space from me?!), and things that they say and do, that make me shake my head.  But at the end of the day, when I sneak into their rooms to peek at them, and lean in and smell them (yes, I really do that still) I am so deeply in love with each of them.  I am so very grateful to God for entrusting them to me.  I believe parenting is a HUGE responsibility.  One I try not to take lightly.  One that scares the pants off of me sometimes.  One that causes me to dream, and reflect on the type of parents I had, and the type of parent I want to be.  What I say and do with them, and to them, and about them matters.  The way I show them love, and the way I discipline them matter.  I have been bestowed "no greater responsibility, and no greater privilege" than to raise my three girls. As they walk through this life may they be able to say that they had a mother who loved them unconditionally, and was always on their side.  May they experience the love of their Father through my words, and actions.  And, may they never question how very important they are to me.

Welcome to the weekend friends!  Thanks so much for taking the time to stop by.

♥ S. Pin It

The bullet list

I have got to get back on track with scheduled posts for sure.  As much work as NaBoPo was it felt better organized around here.

I feel like I've been neglecting my blog, when really I haven't there's just a lot going that I still have to share.  To remedy that I give you the bullet list.  Some of you may actually prefer this to my ramblings, lol.

1. I have yet to print, sort, and enter my week one photos for my Moments In Between Album.  It's driving me crazy that I'm already behind, only two weeks into the project.

2. We are taking the girls to Disney Wold in two weeks.  We're all very excited about this, as none of us have been before.  It's something both my hubby and I wanted to do as children, (who doesn't right?!).  We told the girls in a very fun way on New Year's Eve. We can not wait to see and experience 'The Greatest Place On Earth' together.  We've invited my in-laws to join us so, that only adds to the excitement.  We've rented a house (based on a friend's past experience there), and will have plenty of room, and our own private, screened in pool.

3. I created 3 layouts (one is a lift) in 3 hours with the brand new Jan kit from My Scrapbook Nook.  That was a shock for me, I usually find Lilybee difficult to work with.  I'm really loving this kit though.  Leah does a fab job putting them together.  If you haven't heard about the New Year promo, you really should hop over there and check it out.  Here are some sneaks...

4.  There's also another Card Class going on there in February.  Last time we used the wonderful My Mind's Eye Lost and Found 2 line.  This time Leah, and Danni will be using Crate's Paper Heart Collection, it's super cute and great for V-Day, Birthday, and everyday girlie cards.

5. I got an email yesterday from Scrapbook News & Review stating that they have accepted all six of the projects I submitted to them for publication in this month's magazine.  That was a scrappy ego boost for sure.  It's an online magazine, so the most I'll be able to show you once it's live is screen shots.  But I'll be sure to share.

6. I am loving the weather this winter thus far.  It freaks me out a little as it's so not what we're accustomed to, but -25 C for days on end is no fun for anyone.  At -6 to +6 C everyone can find something to be happy about.  The best part is around noon when the sun makes an appearance.  Love that.

7.  I discovered this sweet little shop today. 

It's called Greatest View, and they have such sweet scrappy stuff.  Check out those doilies, and chevron badges.  I could find a use or two or sixteen for those.  Gail is having a giveaway right now, you should really check it out.

8. Did you watch Grey's Anatomy the other night.  I finally watched it, and am so glad it's back.  So happy for Derek & Meredith (yes I realize they're not real people, but I get wrapped up in characters so easily, and love them like friends).

9. I got THE BEST scrappy related email the other day.  Even better than the one from SNR.  I was so shocked when I opened it that the squeal I let out, actually startled my half sleeping kids in the back of the van.  I can't tell you about it yet, but can't wait until I can.

10. Apparently bullets for me are a little lengthier than the norm.  Hope you'll forgive me.

Thanks friends for stopping by today, and for leaving a little love.

♥ S. Pin It

Word of the Month

I'm up today with a Word of the Month post over at Scrapping Everyday Miracles.  The word that kept coming back to me when considering this post was Grow.  You can read a little more about how that came to be in today's SEM post.  The way I'm focusing on growth this month is through my scrapping.  I've come to understand something over the past few weeks about the way I scrap.  The whole reason I scrap is to document our family's memories in a fun and creative way.  I want my children, and hopefully even their children one day, to be able to look back and see the way we lived life as they were growing up.  I want them to be able to recall with detail the things that happened within our family.  What I've come to realize, however, is that I don't often scrap the everyday things about our life.  If you were to look through my albums you would see a lot of events.  Things like first time away at camp for each of them, music recitals, dance recitals, Christmas, ski vacations, birthday parties, and other such events.  There are not a whole lot of pages that document the every day goings on of our family.  Things like breakfast around the table, the drives to and from activities, the 'just hanging out with friends', the time outs, the hugs and kisses at the end of the day, and other such activities.  All the things I count as direct blessings from the Lord, somehow go missed in my effort to capture the 'events'.  This month, I want to grow in the way I chose to document our life.  It's not always a party around here, that's for certain, and I want my albums to reflect that.  I want to leave an honest all encompassing documentation of our life.  Albums where my kids remember the good, the not so good, and everything in between of growing up in our home.  I have no doubt this album, our Moments In Between album, will help us all to see how truly blessed we are.  From the fact that they are likely not wearing the same outfit from one page to the next, to the fact that they have many people in their lives who love and care about them, to the fact that every night they rest their head on a comfy pillow in a warm bed within the walls of a beautiful home.  WE count each one of these as tremendous blessings.  I hope to create albums where we are able to remember and reflect on these simple things just as much as all the events that will have help enriched their young lives.  The everyday things will take just as high of a standing as far as photos goes.  My Moments In Between album will be a year long, intentional attempt to remember the everyday blessings in our family's life.  This is very much the same idea as Project 365, Month In The Life, and Project Life that have all been very much talked about in the past few weeks in and around the scrappy world.  I thought I would give my album a new name, however.  I just wanted to personalize it for me, and help give the understanding to my family of what exactly the point of the camera coming out a lot more often was.  It's all in an attempt to capture the realness of our lives.  I'm hopeful that I can keep up with this.  I'm really trying not to over think it, and just snap away.  What I'm not so sure on is the actual layout of the album, it's all so new to me.  I've not purchased any of the pre-made resources that would likely speed up the 'getting it all in an album' part.  I've been looking around on the more popular sites/store and most things are sold out.  For now I've grabbed myself a package of page protectors, a couple of sheets of paper with pre-made journaling cards, and that's it.  I'm hoping to learn from other bloggers out there tips that work best for them, and what products they find the most useful.  If you've got any, please link me up in the comments section.  I'd love to hear them.  For now I'll share with you my title page and a handful of photos from week number one.  I'm going to try documenting a week (on two pages) at a time to begin with. if once a week turns out to be too much, I may change it up to once a month.

Here is my title page

I used Crate Paper Random collection, with some Studio Calico, and a few random items from my stash. 

some details shots

The butterflies are actually placed on the outside of the page protector

again the butterfly is on the outside

same thing with this chipboard banner

Here are the photos that will be making their way into Week One.  They are a combination of Canon Rebel shots and iPhone: Camera+, Instamatic, and my 365 apps.

I hope you take a moment to hop over the the SEM site and inspire others with your thoughts on the Word of The Month.  As always I am very grateful that you've taken the time to pop by my corner of the wold today.

Hope your day is a great one!

♥ S.

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October Afternoon Holdiay Style

I took a break from the Crate Paper goodness that filled the December kit at My Scrapbook Nook, to use a little October Afternoon Holiday Style.  This is such a cute line.  I couldn't wait  to use it with some random Christmas photos.  I did these two layouts highlighting some fun stuff about my holiday experience.

My new fave holiday drink thanks to a friend.

The little baggies of chocolate covered pretzels I made for the girls' teachers.

I took a lot of photos this Christmas, more than usual, but this one really stood out for me.  It's my father-in-law, my hubby, and his nephew all on the same couch.  That's a rare photo op for sure.  So glad I got it. 

Crate: Peppermint collection.

I have a little of both lines left and want to use them to scrap the rest of my Christmas photos.  I'm really hoping to do a fun layout using a lot of tiny pictures.

I had a lot of fun scrapping Christmas photos so far this year.  I think it was a combination of having a lot of photos to choose from and two lines that were very easy to work with.  I received some fun recognition over at Two Peas for a couple of the layouts I shared with you just before Christmas.  Three of the layouts went Top 3 with in 3 days.  Two I've already shared with you in a previous post, and this was the third.

A big thank you to my scrappy friends your comments over at Two Peas.

That's it for today.  Thanks so much for stopping by today.  I hope you leave feeling inspired.

♥ S. Pin It