Radiant Heart

I had a totally different idea for this page, but it turned out way better because I was inspired by the products I used!

I knew I wanted to scrapbook this photo and that I wanted to use the new [Elle's Studio Sunny Days] collection. I also envisioned lots of circles dotted around the page. So I misted up my background and used the sun from the [Sunny Days stamp set] and also the "smile" from that set, to create my own background.

I used my Silhouette to cut out a bunch of circles and I layered them around the page. I got that far and then I decided I would pull out the new [Kelly Purkey] stamp sets I'd just purchased to see if I could use a sentiment or two.

And that's the point I hit on some genius and took this page into a totally different direction. Or maybe not totally different, but definitely enhanced! Kelly's [Megababe stamp set] had so many great phrases, but I knew that I had to use "You have a radiant heart" on this page. Because that totally describes Urijah and his love for the pool!

Because I added the radiant heart sentiment, I decided to add stamped diamonds to the background, using [Something Blue Color Theory dye ink]. The "everyday magic" circles using [Deja Blue Color Theory dye ink] were the last bit I added to the background.

Because of the added stamping, my journaling took on a whole new direction! And also because of it, I decided to hand stitch those gems.

Journaling Reads:
"The pool, swimming, splashing around in the water, it brings U so much joy! U could spend hours and hours there everyday. Your mama even moved y'all to a new apartment with a great pool because she knew she was going to be spending a lot of time there with U. We love that U found something that makes sunbeams radiate out of U! Our sunshine boy!"

This page, it just makes my heart happy! It captures something so important to my nephew. It's bright and cheerful. And the journaling is so much improved by the products I used. Have to love it when that happens =)

cheers & besos,

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$10 Classes

Everyone knows there are peaks and troughs in your life. Times with things speed up and when they slow down. Right now, I'm in a peak. Constantly going going going. Hopping from this activity to that party. I'm anxious for some downtime. I know it will come soon enough. But right now I just have to go with the flow. I remind myself that I'm living the moments that I'll scrapbook later.

I promise that one day very soon there will be tons of pretty projects to share here. Actually I can guarantee it! It's just not going to be today.

But I did want to share something and so I thought I'd do a round of $10 classes I've just purchased. These are super limited time offers so jump on them today if you can! And then enjoy a weekend of scrapbook learning :)

Boy I wish I could do that too! But it would mean missing my bestie's 30th birthday and that's just not something I'm willing to do. So for now I'll live vicariously through you!

Here's what I've purchased this week:

For a limited time only Ali has opened up here popular Scrapbooking on the Road course. I didn't get this before and always regretted that. So I was happy to see she brought it back! Price: $10

Kelly Purkey has a new class on the Craftsy website. It's a basic course. And for $10 (through today if you click on a link at her blog) I thought I'd give it a chance. I was intrigued by the interface that is Craftsy.

Styling has never been my strong suit. So I was excited to see this e-course on styling put together by Ann-Marie Espinoza. She's adorably pregnant and just reached her 37 month (congrats Ann-Marie!) and so is offering a 37% discount on classes and printables in her online shop. This class only cost $10.08. Click this link to read her blog post, get the code and see about some shopping. It's only good through the end of today (Friday)!

Have fun you guys! Scrapbooking, relaxing, learning, just enjoying the weekend. Whatever it is that you plan to do, I wish you well :)

cheers & besos,

Stash Bash V.5

Layout No. 5! I'm really excited about how this turned out. I'm also so happy I got to use those great Kelly Purkey stamps. The embellishments have nothing to do with these photos. But they help with the theme of the page, which is all about my cousin Emily. 

All of the paper I used was from my scrap drawer, and a lot left over from my Birthday Brunch page. And in case you haven't picked up this is another page for the Simple Scrapper Stash Bash.

I think I have one last layout in me. Getting back to my desk!

cheers & besos,

December Project Life

Here it is in all its glory, my complete December album. I didn't do this daily, instead I printed photos in batches and powered through with embellishing once we got back from Ohio. It was a lot of work but I love that its done.

I shot a (not so quick) video of myself flipping through the pages and talking about the design and other things. And if you're just interested in the photos, those are below. It's really photo heavy so I'll warn you in advance.

 

New products used: Blue Note Project Life Kit, Let your Heart be Light Cut, Lawn Fawn badges, Life Love Paper Printables, Knock Knock Roller Stamp, Webster's Pages/Allison Kreft 6x6 Paper Pad

cheers & besos,

Snowglobe Cards

It's here! It's done! It's in the box. I finally mailed off my 2013 Christmas cards. These things were a labor of love let me tell you. There's sooooo many steps involved in making them.

But finally, after 3 years of having this idea in my head. They're out and in the world! 

I present, a snow globe ornament.

These would not be at all possible without the help of my Silhouette. It seriously did all of the heavy lifting. I ended up using this design purchased from the online store. But did some serious editing in the studio software.

I feel like I threw just about every technique I could at these cards: letterpress, die cutting, stamping, heat embossing, confetti pocket, machine stitching. But it was well worth it.

The confetti inside is my favorite. I used a variety of speciality confetti/sequins, plus some punched shapes, glitter and even tiny bells. They jingle when they're moved.

For the backs, I heat embossed an Ali Edwards stamp (I also just realized I used that same stamp set for last year's Christmas cards. I guess that makes it super versatile!) with green powder and then stamped a few gold snowflakes around the edges. Matt & I signed the bottom of these with white ink and I added peoples names around the top.

The finishing touches are what took me the longest. Not stapling the ribbon or adding the twine. Nope it was printing out the address labels!!! I'm not even kidding you, everything but this was finished by the 1st of the month. But I just had this huge mental block about sitting at my desk to type up the labels. Finally, I got that done.

I decided to use these amazing gold dot bags as "envelopes" To keep them closed I used a plain jane return address label as tape. 28 of these suckers got mailed out today. They're zooming across the country as we speak =)

Christmas cards are my absolute favorite. I invest a whole lot of time and energy into them every year. But that's because I love to make them. If you'd like to share, I'd love to see your 2013 Christmas cards. Handmade or otherwise!

cheers & besos,