LOAD213 - Day 8 - My Fry Guy

The prompt for Lain Ehmann's Layout a Day (LOAD213 - Scrap Happier) challenge for Day 8 was to scrap about a smell.

Journaling Reads -

Who can smell McDonald's French fries and NOT salivate?! Taking this tasty treat to your Halloween party for your whole class to enjoy was the perfect accompaniment to your costume...which was purchased to complement Ashton's cheeseburger costume. You had a great time trick-or-treating with Colby who dressed up in a Minecraft costume.

LOAD1012 - Day 29 - Darth Owen

The prompt for Lain Ehmann's Layout a Day (LOAD1012 - S.H.O. Time) challenge for Day 29 was to create a critter or embellie using fingerprints. I created a fingerprint lightsaber using my index finger for the black base and my pinky as the red shaft.

Journaling Reads:

Should we be worried that you want to be a member of the dark side? Surely someone this cute isn't capable of evil! You were happy to have Dad take you trick-or-treating. You didn't stay out the entire time but you still got tons of candy.

Quote underneath the washi strip reads: This will be a day long remembered. It has seen the end of Kenobi, it will soon see the end of the Rebellion. -Darth Vader  

Some observations about the process and products:

1. Title alphas were left over from a Lisa Bearnsons kit called All about me.
2. Black border and red & white checked washi tape are recent purchases.  Scrapsupplyaholic.
3. Owen's Halloween album is growing. 
4. I love that the Darth Vader quote says "This will be a day long remembered" and my journaling tag (which I had selected before finding the quote) matches the quote with "Life is meant to be remembered".
5. I don't think I'll use the fingerprint technique again, but it was fun to do something different.

LOAD1012 - Day 28 - King Owen

The prompt for Lain Ehmann's Layout a Day (LOAD1012 - S.H.O. Time) challenge for Day 28 was to use a masking technique. Another "out of my element" challenge. I don't use masks or mists or any of that, but I do have some templates. I painted the red journaling block to the right of the photo using a stencil. I don't LOVE how it turned out, but the end result = another memory captured.

Journaling Reads:

Owen, all you cared about this Halloween was having a sword. Even though you can't take "weapons" to school and even though we have a ton of swords, you wanted a new one. We spotted this shiny sword and thought it would be perfect for royalty. Then we saw the cape and the crown, and it was settled...King Owen.

Some observations about the process and products:

1. Eh
2. Not my favorite page, aesthetically speaking.
3. But, I've forever recorded one of Owen's Halloweens.  And that's the point.

LOAD1012 - Day 23 - Golf Lessons

The prompt for Lain Ehmann's Layout a Day (LOAD1012 - S.H.O. Time) challenge for Day 23 was to use an old product and/or to use a non-standard shape on your page. I was able to accomplish half of this challenge. At the top of my page there is a wavy border of chipboard that I covered in small polka dot paper. You guys, I have chipboard coming OUT.MY.EARS. And I NEVER use it. But, today, I did!

Journaling Reads:

Where: Mulberry Hills, Oxford, Michigan

What: After receiving your birthday golf clubs, we enrolled you in some golf lessons. You're more of a solitary soul, so we think this might be the sport for you. You're having fun so far!

When: July 23, 2012  

Some observations about the process and products:

1. All of the papers were from the same Stampin' Up! paper pack. I LOVE SU! papers. These papers are double sided, so whenever I have double sided papers I cut out a section of the paper underneath a big element. So, before I adhered the orange paper, I cut out a big section of the green paper. On the back side of the green paper was the small polka dot paper that I used to cover the chipboard. And before I adhered the photo collage, I cut out a section of the orange paper. And on the back side of the orange paper was the paper that mats my journaling card. Voila. 4 PPs out of only two pieces of paper. :) And BONUS, they all coordinate.
2. I love how the green polka dot paper reminds me of golf balls.
3. See, another rear view shot.
4. I just love it when you flub the very last word of your hand written journaling.  Maybe I should invest in some white out.  But, I guess that would only work if the journaling spot was on white paper. Not. Gonna. Worry. Bout. It.
5. Journaling tag is from the Project Life Clementine kit.
6. I like how the chipboard border reminds me of a hilly stretch of golf course.
7. I watched episodes of Modern Family and New Normal on Hulu Plus while scrapping this page.

LOAD1012 - Day 18 - FORE!

The prompt for Lain Ehmann's Layout a Day (LOAD1012 - S.H.O. Time) challenge for Day 18 was to scrap about sports. Well, considering I've already done several sports layouts this LOAD alone, this wasn't hard for me to do. This one, is more about my son getting his first set of golf clubs for his 8th birthday. BONUS, one more birthday layout to go into his birthday album.  :)

Journaling Reads:

Owen , you were THRILLED to get a real set of golf clubs for your 8th birthday. Please remember that these are to be used with golf balls and not as a weapon against your brother's head. I see golf lessons in your future.

Some observations about the process and products:

1. I use Picasa for photo collages frequently, but it's not often that I use something other than white for the grid lines.  Because the pics were sepia toned, I didn't want white grid lines.  So, I turned them yellow.
2. I turned the pictures sepia toned because the pictures weren't fabulous, and were heavily shadowed.
3. Not a favorite page, but another layout for the ole birthday album. Whoop.
4. The felt flower was purchased recently at Meijer, but it wasn't a "scrap" product.  Which is fine with me. 

LOAD1012 - Day 17 - Hot Diggity Dog

The prompt for Lain Ehmann's Layout a Day (LOAD1012 - S.H.O. Time) challenge for Day 17 was all about the headline.  Playing up the title.  I think I accomplished that in this layout.

Journaling Reads:

Oh, Owen! This is the face, these are the antics, those are the eyes that make the rest of us smile, and giggle, and sigh as we say: Oh, Owen!!

Some observations about the process and products:

1. Orange letters are Heidi Swapp ghost alphas that I got at a Michigan Mega Meet YEARS ago.  I'm digging them.
2. This kid cracks me up.
3. Journaling card is from Becky Higgins' Project Life, Clementine Core kit, I believe.
4. K&Company Smash washi tape.
5. Stampin' Up patterned papers.  Again, except for the 12x12 sheet, everything came either from the scrap drawer or from one of my pre-punched shapes drawers (circle, scallop circle, word window, modern label ... all Stampin' Up stamps, too)

LOAD1012 - Day 5 - Prescription Popsicle

The prompt for Lain Ehmann's Layout a Day (LOAD1012 - S.H.O. Time) challenge for Day 5 was: Pinnochio - Woodgrain & actual wood accents are so on trend. Use some today on your page. Ideas: Draw freehand trying for a lumber look or even mimicking tree rings on a circular embelli. Comb over paint in a wiggly motion to leave a woodgrain look behind. What about supersizing the pattern of woodgrain using washi tape? You could even use popsicle sticks on your page! Put your journaling on them. Or simply gear your story today towards a woodland experience – a camping trip, a tree planted when a child was born, the story behind a wooden item in your home, a Christmas tree story…

When I read this in the prompt: "You could even use popsicle sticks on your page!" I knew instantly that I needed to scrap the post-op pictures of my son eating a popsicle. Framing one of the pictures with popsicle sticks took me straight back to Girl Scout camp. But, it was fun!!

 

Journaling Reads:

The best thing about a tonsillectomy (Besides getting a week off from school!) is the prescription popsicle. Owen, you were such a good patient. You ate the whole thing, even though it hurt to swallow. You told the nurse, "Eh, I like a little pain." Sure you do, tough guy.

Some observations about the process and products:

1. I bought a mini label maker from the Smash product line and I loved using it to make the word "prescription" in my title.
2. Busted out some tried and true Stampin' Up alpha stamps.
3. I heart White ink pads.
4. I double heart Kraft paper.
5. I colored the popsicle sticks orange with a Sharpie.  Probably not considered "archival quality", but sometimes I've been known to dance with the Devil.
6. Did you know that they don't give kids red popsicles after a tonsillectomy because if they throw up afterwards, they won't know if it's popsicle or blood.  Gross.

LOAD1012 - Day 1 - And She Was!

The prompt for Lain Ehmann's Layout a Day (LOAD1012 - S.H.O. Time) challenge for Day 1: What song would play when they announce your name at an Awards show?
The song that instantly popped into my head was Dancing Queen by Abba, but I don't have any recent pictures of me dancing (not professionally, anyway, although I'm sure I have some pictures of me dancing just for S's & G's).
So, I decided to scrap an event and I chose a song that, for me, epitomizes the celebration of St. Patrick's Day.
The name of the song is Black Velvet Band. And, if you've ever been to an Irish Pub, you know that it's customary to sing along with the chorus and, even though I don't think it's an official lyric in the song, there is a certain point where you raise your pint and emphatically sing-slash-yell: "AND SHE WAS!"

Journaling Reads:

March 16, 2012 marked the second annual St. Patrick’s Eve and Corned Beef & Cabbage party at Greene Acres. When I think of St. Patrick’s Day, I think of this song, especially the chorus, and I smile:

"Her eyes, they shone like the diamonds. You’d think she was queen of the land.

AND SHE WAS!

And her hair hung over her shoulder. Tied up with a black velvet band."

There were some new families that attended this year who were a fabulous addition to the mix. I’m so lucky to call these wonderful lasses my dear friends.

Some observations about the process and products:

1. Dios Mio!  Will I EVER be able to scrap a page in a half hour?!?  More like three hours on this one.  Sigh.
2. I might not be able to scrap in little time, but I can scrap with little product: 1 sheet green cardstock, 1 sheet white cardstock, printer paper, shamrock stamp, Stampin' Up ink pad, chipboard letters.  Minimalism.
3. PICASA - Use it a ton.  I love a good collage.  I love text on photos.  I love free.  Enough said.
4. I had to use restraint when stamping my shamrocks...I was tempted to stamp shamrocks all the way across the bottom and all the way across the top.  Case in point  that Less is More.
5. I think I smiled the entire time whilst making this page.  This party makes me smile.  These people make me smile.  That song makes me smile.  The food makes me smile.  This memory makes me smile.  Reason number 5,672 that I scrapbook.

LOAD512 - Day 10 - ON YOUR 7th BIRTHDAY

The prompt for Lain Ehmann's Layout a Day (LOAD512) challenge for Day 10: Use a cereal box for inspiration.

So, I went in the pantry, and pulled out this box:

And here is the layout that I created:

Journaling Reads:

1. You had lunch with Principal Brasington in her office. No, not because your were in trouble, but because I won this privilege at the school auction.
2. Your name and a happy birthday message were on the school marquis. (I also won this privilege at the school auction).
3. Birthday dinner at Buffalo Wild Wings.
4. Acting goofy.
5. Why you chose to put your birthday cash in an Easter egg, I’m not sure. But it was your version of a wallet and you carried it in to the store..
6. Spending your birthday money on Legos at Meijer. Decisions, decisions.
7. It wasn’t hard to guess by this wrapping job (done by dad) what our gift to you was. Your own pool stick! You were THRILLED!

 Some observations about the process and products:

1. I used the same color scheme as the cereal box, white, green, and gold.
2. The three buttons to the left of the journaled list and the button in the lower right corner of the journaled list echo the green circle/checkmarks and the USDA organic circle seal on the cereal box.
3. This was quite fun.  There is literally inspiration EVERYWHERE!
4. Another birthday layout complete!! WHOOP! WHOOP!  I have one more year to do for Owen's birthday book and it will be current.  Cue chorus of angels.

LOAD512 - Day 9 - Owen's Bowling Birthday

The prompt for Lain Ehmann's Layout a Day (LOAD512) challenge for Day 9: Use at least 6 photos

Journaling Reads:

We celebrated your 7th birthday on April 22, 2011 at Collier Lanes in Oxford, MI with friends and family. Everybody signed this keepsake bowling pin and had a blast. You said it was your best birthday EVER!

Some observations about the process and products:

1. Helloooooo - Did anyone notice I followed the prompt. A-GAIN. tyvm
2. Loooooooove Picasa!  Easy and free text on photos and collages!
3. Loooooooove Stampin' Up patterned papers.  Some things are just constants.
4. Why, yes, this is a double page. Toot! Toot!
5. Owen tried to convince me to print the photo on the left in color, but I have final design decisions.

LOAD512 - Day 2 - Turn 6, you did.

The prompt for Lain Ehmann's Layout a Day (LOAD512) challenge for Day 2 was No Photo.

As you can see, I couldn't be further OFF prompt. I have a list of things to do during this LOAD, and catching up on the kids' birthday albums is on the top of that list!! I even did a double today!! WOO HOO!

Tab behind the collage on the left, that says DEETS at the top provides the following details:
Owen, we celebrated your sixth birthday less than two weeks after Ashton was born. It was no small feat pulling off a party for 30 people while still recovering from childbirth, but the force was with your momma. With Jedi Aunt Shawn’s help, we pulled it off. You were going through a Star Wars phase, as you could probably guess from the pictures. Things that helped make your birthday party awesome, (in addition to the numerous friends and family that helped us celebrate), were (in no particular order):

• Chocolate cupcakes with vanilla frosting topped with Darth Vader rings


• Vanilla cupcakes with chocolate frosting topped with Storm Trooper rings


• Red and green chocolate dipped pretzel rods….a.k.a. “Edible Light Sabers”Yoda Soda (Sprite and lime sherbet)


• The Darth Vader piñata


• Baby Ashton dressed up as Yoda


• Liam dressed up as a Clone Wars clone


• You dressed up as Darth Vader


• Pin the light saber on the Jedi game


• Legos, Legos, and more Legos


• The perma-grin you sported throughout the whole party

Some observations about the process and the products used:

1. I haven't used my Cricut in FOR-EVER! Used it for the title and it wasn't AS time consuming as I always make it out to be in my head.


2. We really did pull off a pretty kick butt party for being two weeks post-partum!


3. Not a whole lot of frills and thrills going on here, but, hey....IT'S DONE!! And I'm one page closer to having Owen's birthday album current! BOO-YAH!

LOAD212 - Day 21 - Super Power

The prompt for Lain Ehmann's Layout a Day challenge for Day 21 was - My Hometown

Went off prompt again. I think I'm "over" (for the moment, anyway) scrapping about me. So, here's another one of my Owen.

Journaling Reads: Owen, your brain never ceases to amaze me. At dinner the other night, I asked you, "If you could have one super power, what would it be?" With out hesitation, your response was, "To be able to think of a super power and just have it." Dad and I just looked at each other and agreed that was the best answer ever! Age 7, February 2012


Some observations about the process and the products used:

1. Given my sickness today, I'm shocked, SHOCKED, I tell you, that I got this done today.



2. I'm not sure which is more difficult, scrapping whilst hungover (Sunday) or scrapping whilst super sick (Today). Neither is easy.



3. Whenever I just want to "gitterdone" I hand journal and bust out an 8.5x11



4. EIGHT more days, and eight more layouts, until I've accomplished my goal of creating a layout a day. I didn't think I'd last this long, to be honest.
   

LOAD212 - Day 17 - Grow Up

The prompt for Lain Ehmann's Layout a Day challenge for Day 17 was - What did you want to be when you grew up?

I asked my 7 year old this question today. And after thinking about it for an hour, this is what he came up with:

1. Golf player
2. Train conductor
3. Lego maker
4. Own a candy store
5. Make TV shows

Some observations about the process and the products used:

1. Why, yes, you can use pink paper on a "boy" page!



2. I used Becky Higgins Project Life Clementine Core Kit specifically because I wanted the box of journaling cards. Paired it with the Clementine patterned paper that I trimmed down to 8 1/2 x 11.



3. I asked Owen what his favorite thing about this page was, and he pointed to the white Heidi Swapp silhouette sticker I applied to the photo. Who knew?



4. He also liked the "spikes" I created and adhered above and below his photo.
   

Challenge 13a - pump

I created another layout last night inspired by ScRap SiStaZ challenge 13a. Now I only have three more challenges to catch up on before moving on to ScRap SiStaZ challenge 18:

• s*r*p
• Meeting Santa
• class of 1989 grad

Or I can move on to Challenge 18 and get back to those other three later.

At any rate, here's 13a...

pump:

Observations about the process and the products used:

1. No, it's not exactly like the inspiration layout, but I did use the inspiration layout as a guide. There are similarities and differences. First, the similarities:

• 11x11 cardstock matted on a different color 12x12 cardstock
• "Stitched" the smaller cardstock to the larger cardstock...I did this using my trusty white pen and a stitching template. I've had the stitching template for a while. It has several types of "stitches" on it. But this is the first time that I've used it, that I can recall. I really wish I had the nerve to pull out my sewing machine and stitch for real on my layouts. I'm not there, yet.
• Handwritten journaling (although, I turned mine on their side)
• A roughly stamped quote next to the photo. Although, mine uses bigger alpha stamps, which I was cursing the entire time. I usually love these stamps but they were NOT working for me! I basically had to go back and color in all of the letters with my white marker. When I had finished stamping the quote, I had all but sworn off CTMH stamp sets forever. Then I decided to try those same stamps in a different color ink on a piece of scrap paper. On my layout, I used SU! Craft White ink. On the scraps of paper, I used SU! Basic Black ink...and the stamped images came out perfectly. So, all of that time I had been cursing the CTMH stamps when I should have been cursing the type of ink that I was using!! (I've about had it with that SU! Craft ink!)

1. Next, the differences:

• I used two smaller photos instead of one large one.
• The photo placement is on the opposite side of the page. It started off on the same side of the page, but when I tried to stamp the quote the first time on the right side of the page, it came out HORRIBLY. So, I had to move the photos to cover the debacle and stamp the quote on the left side of the page instead.
• I added some ribbon
• I did not "stitch" on the photos
• Color scheme is different. The challenge used warm tones, I used cool.

All in all, I think I could have come up with a more satisfying layout if I would have come up with my own design, or if I would have lifted another design, rather than trying to make these photos fit in with this inspiration layout. I don't HATE this layout, but it's not one of my shining stars. It just doesn't "speak" to me.

But, that's OK. What's important is that I captured the memory. And I spent time CREATING. And I enjoyed the journey (minus the stamping debacle.) And the layout will "speak" to others for generations to come.

Inspiration Layout:

Challenge 12a - my 3 students

I wanted to finish up another ScRap SiStaZ challenge before Tina started posting new challenges for the fall, so I scrapped about the first day of school here at the Hillary's, lifting Challenge 12a. That leaves me with only 4 challenge layouts to "catch up" on from the first batch of challenges. Not too shabby!!

my 3 students:

Some observations about the process and the products used:

1. When I first saw this layout, I thought it would be perfect for me to do something with, since I, too have 3 kids. I'm glad I finally came up with something.
2. I switched it from a double layout to a single, but I think I captured the overall feeling of the original.
3. I enjoyed using the Heidi Swapp ghost alphas (that I got at the Mega Meet) for my title. But, I don't have a wide array of adhesive and staples seemed like the most sturdy route to go. Adds texture, no? That's my story and I'm sticking to it!!
4. I really do love using the Cricut. A MUST for any serious scrapper.
5. Jordyn's photo was shot in the same location as the boys' photos were shot, but there was no sunlight, so you can't really tell.
6. I can't believe I have 3 kids in school!! Holy Moly, where has the time gone.
   

Looking forward to more challenges!! :)

Challenge Layout:

2 Wheels

I created this layout on Monday night in about 45 minutes. Maybe less.


I used a SU! scrapbook kit, and I know that I've mentioned before how much I LOVE kits, but it bears repeating. I LOVE kits.


Speedy layouts is one reason. Fun embellies is another. Owen loves the pointing finger "dicker" and Liam likes the arrow sticker that says "That Rocks!"

I will definitely be scrapping more in the near future. 8/6 is quickly approaching and I need to finish Liam's birthday book!! Who knows, I might even bust out a challenge or two.


2 Wheels:

Challenge 14b - Coin Angels

Kicking Booty on the ScRap SiStaZ challenges the last couple of days. Here is Challenge 14b.

Coin Angels:

Some observations on the process and the products used:

1. This was a SIMPLE layout.
2. I spent probably 2 hours total, including clean up, taking the photo, & blogging about it (whilst checking Facebook & emails from time to time).
3. Behind the photo is a journaling card which pretty much has this as the text, with a couple of modifications. Gotta get back to blogging about more than just birds here pretty soon.
4. I finally got to use some of my arrows from the Mega Meet!
5. The title that I stamped originally looked like it said COINANGELS, because I didn't leave any space between the two words. It didn't bother me until I took the picture and started to post it. Then I thought, "I can NOT live with it like that!" So I used a scrap piece of yellow cardstock (taken from behind the patterned paper before I adhered it - I'm a frugal scrapper like that). Anyway, I restamped the word COIN further over to the left. Well THEN there was TOO much space between the two words. So, I grabbed a penny to fill the space and adhered it with a ZOTS uber sticky glue dot. I LOVE the result of this mistake!! Although I didn't love the process of having to correct the mistake!!
   

Inspiration Layout:

Challenge 17b - Detroit Owen

I accepted Kim's challenge to keep moving on the ScRap SiStaz challenges by completing Challenge 17b (feelings). Although, my topic was more of an event than a feeling. Out of 34 challenges, I have completed 25 layouts. I think that's a pretty good ratio. At some point I want to get around to all of them, or at least MOST of them. It's just so hard to keep up with the weather being so nice.

I was also able to keep moving on my kids' birthday albums as this is another 5th birthday layout for Owen's birthday book.

Detroit Owen - double:

Detroit Owen - left:

Detroit Owen - right:

Some observations about the process and the products used:

1. I'm not good at guesstimating what size to print my photos. I guesstimated 3.5x5.5 and that was obviously too big. So, I just adapted the layout a little bit to fit my pictures, rather than reprint my pictures to fit the inspiration layout.
2. I changed this from a one page layout to a two page layout.
3. Because I changed this to a two page layout, I changed the positioning of the border strip of patterned paper so that it was on the outsides of each of my pages and so that my two journaling blocks were somewhat next to each other.
4. I picked this army green color background cardstock as sort of a neutral (in absence of a stack of Kraft colored cardstock) and it ended up working really well. Surprisingly, the polka dot patterned paper strips that I used had the same army green color polka dots in it! When in doubt, use green, indeed.
5. The font used for the journaling is called A Little Pot. I think all of our layouts could use a little pot. Just Kidding!!
6. I referred to my "abc color chart" when selecting the journaling font color.

Inspiration Layout:

Love Joy Peace

Owen's last day of preschool was last week. For their end of year concert, the theme was Fruits of the Spirit. Which, (in case you don't know) are: Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self-Control (it's not against the law, you can grow them in your own back yard).

Anyway, in keeping with that theme, I decided to make Fruits of the Spirit candles for each of the teachers. Unfortunately, all I could fit onto these short candles were "Love, Joy, Peace". So, I included "Galatians 5:22-23", the verses in the Bible that talk about the Fruits of the Spirit.

It was a fun, easy gift and I hope they liked them. I wasn't there to assess their reactions, but Kevin was and he said that they loved them. I asked him if they "got it" that they were Fruits of the Spirit candles, and he said Oh Yes! And that one teacher in particular was just gushing over that fact. :)

this is why i 'crapbook

Being at the Mega Meet all day yesterday had me wanting to scrapbook like crazy. So, tonight, I put some of my Mega Meet purchases to use.

this is why i 'crapbook:

Observations about the process and the products used:

1. Mega Meet products used:
   ~"Remember" silhouette on lower left photo
   ~Brown felt fusion swirls
   ~Heidi Swapp date stamp (another stellar deal!)
2. Tried and true products used:
   ~See through ruler
   ~Chipboard alphas
   ~Plain cardstock (there's not even any patterned paper on this layout! *gasp*)
   ~White gel pen (Amy & Tina - you ladies are going to love them!)
3. The green photo corners were punched from scrap paper a long time ago. My intent was to punch various shapes out of small scraps of paper and store them for future use. Today was the first time to cash in on that "future use" idea.
4. The top right photo makes me want to reach into the picture and tickle Owen's feet!