The Good Life

Happy Friday!  I finished my newest layout over the weekend and just now taking the time to post it to my blog....it's been a long week.  The photos for this layout were taken in July of 2013...I love the bond between Ava and her Grandpa!  She and her mommy  were at our house so we could take our annual vacation to visit the Parks' family in Cheyenne, Wyoming....look out CFD here were come!  

Supplies-Paper: BG Herbs & Honey, Elements: BG Seed Envelop, Sew Easy Floss,  BG Tags & Words, BG Photo Frames, Title-Studio Calico Wood Veneers, BG Hey You Alpha Stickers.

I still need to journal on this layout.....my least favorite part of scrapping!  Since I like to print my journaling and I haven't moved my printer yet.... I will use that as my excuse for stalling on my journaling.

Sketch #18 by Allison Davis, Scrapbook Generation's Sketch Fusion with Simple Stories.

I love using sketches and really like the sketches by Scrapbook Generation.   I have several of these books and will probably add more to my collection.

Wishing all a blessed weekend....stay warm!

Scrapper's Blog Tour


Welcome to another stop on the Scrapper's Blog Tour.....I was excited to be invited to participate in the tour by a very talented scrapper, Shirley Mascarina.  She host a monthly sketch challenges on her blog and is a talented scrapper which I follow for creative inspiration.....be sure and stop by her blog to check her process & awesome layouts.  I want to thank Shirley for tagging me. 

I am a little late getting my post up this week since I care for my grandchildren during the day......and, the last few weeks have been in the process of buying a house across the street from my grandchildren & their parents!  My husband & I are both retired and have been looking at homes in the area for quite some time......well, we found one!  My oldest daughter and I viewed the home on September 11 and my husband & I signed the papers on September 26!  This is a big "life change" for hubby & I since we have lived in SW Kansas for most of our lives......but, a good time to make the a big change.  Now comes the hard part of this new adventure....moving!

1.) What am I working on right now?

I am working on a two page layout of my granddaughter, Ava, and her grandpa, mowing the lawn...photos are from July 2013.  Funny thing, Ava, thought she was driving the mower....Grandpa didn't spoil her fun and tell her any different.  

2.) How long does it take me to create a project?

I am a very slow scrapper!  I have tried to scrap faster, but, it just isn't me!  The ladies that I use to scrap with at my church would tease me at the end of a long day of scrapping......wanting to know how many layouts I had finished.  At the present time I am living with my youngest daughter, Raegen, and her family, caring for my grandchildren during the day.  I guess I could use that as my excuse for being so slow, although that isn't the only reason.  I start out strong, but find it hard to make decisions on titles, embellishments, and journaling.  A two page layout could take between 2-4 hours......sometimes longer!  

3.) What are my favorite things to create with at the moment?

I love using washi tape, pocket envelops, wood veneer's, and gesso.....a new one for me!  I am not very brave at trying new items, I love the look but usually stay with what I know will work for me.

4.)  How does my writing/creating process work?

I love scrapping with sketches for my layouts.  After choosing my photos, I find a sketch, paper, and then elements.  I will often print my photos at home to go with a favorite sketch.  I like scrapping with a collection and have been using a lot of Basic Grey lately, love that the colors and elements will coordinate on my page.  I do mostly two page layouts, occasionally scrapping a single.....mostly for the fact that I take way too many photos to scrap singles.  Also, when I scrap a single layout, and it isn't to start, or end an album, I like my paper on the opposing page to match......I know, crazy! Therefor, I will scrap the next layout with coordinating paper! 

5.) How do I become inspired and stay inspired?

I have several favorite blogs that I follow for inspiration and have followed for quite some time.  Another favorite place to go for inspiration is Scrapbook Generations online magazine, Create.  I didn't ever think I would like downloading a magazine, but love having it on my computer for easy access!  The creators of the magazine, the design team, and gallery readers are super!   

6.) What is my signature style? 

I don't really have a style since it seems to change as I go along.....depending on my mood, or the layout!  It is probably "clean & simple" for the most part.  I admire those that are brave enough to try new elements on their layouts.....might get braver as I go along.  

Thanks for stopping by my blog tour.  Happy scrapping!

Mall Play Time/Exciting News!

Happy Friday!  Loving the cold and rainy weather this morning!  I am happy to be heading home today after Raegen & Heath get home after work....later than I would like to be going, but excited to see Ron for a couple of days and start packing!  My exciting news that I mentioned in my last blog post is the fact that Ron & I bought a house across the street from Heath, Raegen, Ava & Grayson and Rachelle.  Love that we will be close to our family and that Ron will be here with me.      

The purchase of our new home happened very fast!  From the time I saw the sign go up in the beautiful house & yard across the street until the day Ron & I signed the papers was only 16 days.....very unusual for it to happen so fast!  When I saw the realtor place the sign, I called our realtor, and Rachelle and I looked at the house the next day!  The inside of the house is as neat and pretty as the grass and landscaping on the outside.  I called Ron and told him we should buy it.....and, we did!  Talk about trusting your spouse....he is amazing and likes the house as much as I do.  We will be down sizing a little and will be getting rid of a lot of things that we have accumulated over the last 20 years of living in our present home.  Since Ron is still working in Syracuse until the end of November, we won't be moving in completely until such time.  I will be going home a couple of times to pack before the big move....oh, my!  This move will be a big "life change" for us....one that we have prayed about for a long time. 

I finished my newest layout this past weekend, finally getting it posted!  I attended a weekend crop and had a wonderful time, making new friends and visiting with ladies that I had cropped with in the past.  The best part was the fact that I live only three minutes away from where the crop was held.....super!  I finished more layouts but need to complete several things on each layout before I can take photos.

Supplies- Paper:BG Hey Boy, K&Co Confetti, Misc Cardstock. Jellibean Wood Grain Bags, BG Hello Die Cuts, EK Success Border Punch, Amy Tangerine Printed Fabric Letters, BG Hey Girl Alphabet Stickers, and Paper Studio Printed Wood Buttons.

I have another two page layout on my desk that is waiting to be finished, only needs a title and journaling.  

Hope all is well.  Wishing you a blessed weekend.

It's A Girl Thing

Happy Friday!  Fall is in the air!  I love fall for many reasons, one being cooler weather,  high school sporting events, visits to the pumpkin patch with my grandchildren, and the beautiful fall colors.  

My layout today was scrapped using photos of Ava doing one of her favorite things when shopping.....admiring the jewelry & herself!  It doesn't matter where we shop, while everyone else is shopping for cloths, she is admiring & trying on the jewelry!  

This is my second layout using paper from my Basic Grey POTM kit.  Love the colors from the kit and still have a little paper & a lot of elements for another project.  I want to thank Ashley Horton for the Say It With Pearls Adhesive, they were the perfect element for this layout.  Ashely had sent them to me over a year ago and I felt guilty that I had not used them yet, but so glad that I had saved them for Miss Ava's fun layout!  Ashley has also been a source of inspiration for my scrapping.....always new & creative ideas!

Supplies-Paper: BG Highline Collection, Adornit Pink Cotton Candy, Doilie: Dovecraft, Chipboard: Heidi Swapp, Pearl Adhesive: Prima Marketing, Title: Cricut Base Camp, Wood Veneer:Studio Calico, Word Elements: Tim Holtz & Me & My Big Ideas. 

I have a reveal coming this next week......I can hardly wait to tell all!  Wishing all a blessed weekend.  

Hello There

Wishing everyone a blessed Monday morning!

  I have been absent from my blog far too long!  There are many exciting things going on in my life, but not ready to tell yet!  My newest layout was scrapped using photos of Ava that were taken in March 2013.  I had bought the cute hat for her while we were at the mall one Saturday and knew it would be perfect for her third year photos!   

The inspiration for this layout came from one of my favorite scrappers, Lynette Jacobs.  It was featured in the August issue of Create Magazine.  I decided to print the photos in b&w because the colors were so bold and I wanted to focus on the photos themselves.  Ava is so much fun to scrap for and I love how this one turned out. 

Supplies-Paper: BG Highline POTM, MME Blossom Sisters, BG Hey You (Frame), BG Register, BG Olivia, BoBunny Back to Backs, Chipboard: Heidi Swapp Hearts, Title: Tim Holtz Mini Cards, Wood Veneer: Studio Calico, Border Punch: Martha Stewart, Rub-Ons: Little Yellow Bicycle.

For this layout I choose to use a Basic Grey POTM instead of using it as they suggested.....love the colors and have more left for another layout, or two.  

I feel very blessed to my wonderful husband that is willing to stay in our home town, waiting patiently, for our house to sale.  He works very hard at a job that he loves so I can be here caring for Ava & Grayson....he also has another job on the side since he likes to stay busy.   He took early retirement three years ago, but doesn't want to slow down any time soon.  What a man.....love him so much!  He is celebrating his 64th Birthday today!  One of the young men that he works with offered to take him out to dinner tonight.  Thanks, Christian! 

Praying that everyone has a good week.

Busy, Busy, Busy!

Good Morning!  It has been over a month since I have updated my blog......I have been very busy caring for my grandchildren during the day and helping their mommy & daddy in the evenings.  Today I am sharing three layouts, one 2 pager, and two single layouts.  I can now say I have officially finished Ava's second year.....finally!

The 2 pager was scrapped using the two page sketch from the May Create Magazine....love their sketches!  I also love the Simple Stories "Say Cheese" Collection and have used it on several layouts.  I knew we wouldn't be going to Disney World or Disney Land in the near future, therefore, thought I would go ahead and have fun with one of my favorite collections.  The colors were perfect for Ava's 1st Birthday "Cars" themed party.   

SS Say Cheese Collection, Paper Co Elegant Nights, Jolee's Disney Elements,  BG Photo Frame,  BG Stickers Fonts, Title-ATD Stickers, Misc Words-Tim Holtz.

I love the photo of my daughter, Raegen, and granddaughter, Ava.....such a special moment.  This layout was my last layout in Ava's second year album.

Paper Studio Persnickety, Bo Bunny Back To Back's, BG Hey Girls/Strips Under Photo, K & Co Adhesive Borders, BG Tags, BG Brad & Buttons, Studio Calico Wood Veneers, Misc Words-Tim Holtz,  Heidi Swapp Title, Studio 112 Epoxy Stickers, Misc Flowers & Buttons. Dovecraft Doilies.

I tried something new on my last layout.....Gesso!  I have seen several of my favorite scrappers use it on their layouts and decided to gave it a try.  The sketch for this layout is my version of the single layout from the June Create Magazine.  

BG Hey You Collection, Cor e' donations, Tim Holtz Dot Fade Stencil, ACMI Gesso, DCWV Gem Stickers,  Cricut Cuttin' Up Font, DCWV Serenity White Glitter/Title, & Ki Gel Candy Epoxy Stickers.

I have photos waiting to start my next layout, but might not get it started this week since my SIL is out of town on business.  I might have to wait until Ava starts pre-school this next week to get back to my layouts.  She will be at school for three hours in the mornings and Grayson normally takes a good nap during that time.....hope that doesn't change! 

Wishing everyone a blessed day.  

Yikes!  Summer for me is almost over.....seemed to go fast!  We will be leaving for vacation on Friday to visit our dear friends in Cheyenne, Wyoming, our annual trip to attend Cheyenne Frontier Days and visit the Parks family.  Our family helped them moved to Cheyenne in 1993 and have visited every summer, with the exception of two, ever since.  Our daughter's, the Ewy & Parks, were small when their family moved to Cheyenne....a lot has changed over the past 21 years!  All four of the girls graduated from college and have jobs & families of their own.  Our youngest daughter is married and has a daughter & son, their oldest daughter is married and has a daughter.  Our oldest daughter is still single, as is their youngest.....both are very picky, must be why they are still single.  As far as career choices, they didn't vary much, three are in education and one is a physical therapist.  Our granddaughter, Ava, is going with us and will get to meet Gwendolyn, the Parks' granddaughter....very anxious that our granddaughters get to meet this trip!  After we take Ava back home next weekend, I will have one week before returning to take care of Grayson.....school starts for Raegen with teacher in service on August 6!  Way too soon!

I am almost finished with the layouts that I had planned to complete this summer.  I only need to scrap a two page layout & a single before going back.  I wish I had completed more but didn't have the mojo that I needed, just very glad to have completed most of what was on my list.

My first layout is a two pager of Christmas 2011.....not my favorite and still needs journaling, but finished.

Supplies-BG Jovial Pomegranate, Cloud Design Sparkle, Misc Paper, Authentic Puzzle Title Pieces, BG Hey Boy, Alphabet Stickers, & SS Merry & Bright Card.


My second layout is of Ava and her Aunt Rachelle, her Cha Cho, one evening while listening to Cha Cho read a book she had received for Christmas.

Supplies-BG Hey You, BG Marrakech Chamomile, BG Hey You Diecuts & Transparencies,  Dies, Heidi Swapp Embellishments "Happy",  & Maya Mists.

My last layout shows how much Ava loves the Disney Pixar "Cars" movie and anything that resembled the movie!  The evening I took the photos, Ava had lined up her cars on Grandpa's leg.....making sure he held very still so the cars didn't fall.  Loved the little Disney Elements by EK Success.   I love using sketches and found one I really like from the Creative Scrappers Blog, sketch # 273.   As usual, I still need to journal, and will do it later. 

Supplies-BG Hey You, BG Marrakech Chamomile, DCWV 4x6 Dots, Stripes & Plaids, Authentic Intent, Misc Vacation PP, EK Success Disney Car Dimensional Stickers, BG Hey You Flags, Transparencies, Snippets, & Alphabet Stickers, and  BG Dark Chocolate Chipboard Fonts.

I received a call and Ava & her daddy are almost here.....a long 4 1/2 hour drive, and her daddy is returning home tonight since he has to work tomorrow.   Praying for a safe return  home for my wonderful son-in-law.  

Wishing everyone a blessed week.