National Scrapbooking Month BLOG CANDY

Hi there!  I hope everyone is enjoying this fabulous May so far.  I know, I know ... this month has only just begun!  If you haven't been able to tell yet, I am LOVING scrapbooking this month.  I've never been much of a scrapbooker, but by the end of May I sure hope to be able to consider myself one! 

I am beginning to prefer digital scrapbooking over traditional scrapbooking.  It is so fast and easy and I can do so much on my page without it becoming too bulky.  I think there will always be room in my heart for traditional scrapbooking, but I do believe the majority of my pages will be digital.

With all that being said, I am offering up some YUMMY digital blog candy!  Every person who places an order with me in the month of May will be put in a drawing for a full copy of the My Digital Studio software!  You can order by phone, email or through my website.  Your name will go in one time for each order you place.  If you order through my website, there is no need to notify me.  Stampin' Up! will do that for you!  I will draw the winner June 1. 

NOTE:  Per Stampin' Up!'s policies, this offer is only available to residents of the United States or anyone with an APO/FPO address. 

This blog post will stay at the top of the page for the month.  Please scroll down to see my most current postings.

Happy stamping and GOOD LUCK!

Finished Mount Fuji Layout

Here is another page that I've added a page to for a double page layout.  You've seen Page 1 before, but here is the whole thing.  Remember, you only have a few more days left in May.  Don't forget to take advantage of Stampin' Up!'s National Scrapbook Promotion.  Also, don't forget about the drawing for a free copy of My Digital Studio software!  Details are at the top of my blog.

My Softball Superstar!

My daughter is NOT a team sports kind of girl.  She would much rather do something "individual", like rock wall climbing, zip lining, kayaking, etc.  However, two summers ago she decided to "try" softball.  Well, she LOVED it!  I cannot even begin to express how happy that made me as I was an All-Star softball player when I was her age and I continued to play ball up until I got married.  At that time I was on three teams (two co-ed and one all girls) and played five nights a week!  She's only played for two seasons, but already shows great potential.  I love that she loves my favorite sport!

Does this layout look familiar?  It should!  I used it for my son's soccer team here.

More MDS

I have been taking advantage of the icky weather and whipping up a few more double layouts before the end of the month so I can take advantage of the 30% off printing special this month.   I took my original single page layout (which I don't think I ever shared) and edited it to create a double page layout.  Overall I'm happy with the results.

Busy, Busy Week

I have been really busy this week.  Some of our best friends and the greatest neighbors in the world are moving back to the states this weekend (MAYBE -- see below) and we have had a week full of fun-filled good-bye activities with them.  Mostly just hanging out with the other family on the block that we are close with.  It really is like extended family.  All three of our boys are the same age and the best of friends and my daughter is the resident babysitter for both the other families.  It is bittersweet, to say the least.  And I can't believe that we haven't had the cameras out taking pictures!  We've just been having so much fun enjoying each others' company and getting in as much face time as possible that I don't think anyone's really thought much about it.  So, with all that said, I have not spent any time at the craft table! 

That's all going to change, though!  We are expecting a pretty significant typhoon (similar to a hurricane) this weekend and when that happens, the base confines all non-essential personnel (that would be us) to our quarters.  This means that I get to craft to my heart's content!  Even if the power goes out, that is something I can do to occupy myself!  Just open the curtains and go to town, right!  Anyway, I'm hoping to have lots to share in the coming days, so please have patience. 

I appreciate each and every person who visits my blog.  I especially appreciate when comments are left.  I know y'all visit because of my page visit counter, but hearing from you just makes my heart swell, so please take a moment to leave a comment now and then!

Until later ...

Happy Stamping!

My Sk8ter Boi

Do you like my title?  I have to admit that I do love Avril Lavigne, even though most of her generation probably think I'm ancient!  That being said, I thought I'd play off her song to title my blog post ;)

My 10-year-old son LOVES his skateboard.  He has actually saved his money several times to purchase new decks and he is quite proficient at taking his board apart and putting it back together.  We have a mini make-shift skate park behind our house where and and his friends get together almost on a daily basis (as long as it's not raining) and practice their "skills".  My hubby snuck out one day and took some shots of him without him knowing it -- aren't those always the best!! 

This layout went through several revisions before I was finally satisfied.  The look on my son's face and his exclamation of "it's perfect" sealed the deal! 

Those Eyes

Last year I was goofing around with my camera. I kept trying to sneak pictures of my daughter and she would catch me! I love these shots that I got of her. I used the pre-made page that came with the Hip and Handsome Overlays digital download.

20 Pages in a Day

I am so excited to share with you the second project I designed for the current round of UStamp - Classes, Clubs and Camps.  It is 20 scrapbook pages in a day.  This is such a fun and easy scrapbook to put together and really doesn't take much time.

For full supply list and written tutorial, head on over to UStamp with Dawn and Friends (button is on my sidebar) and sign up today!

Bold Blossom

Here is another card I made for a swap that I'm participating in over at Splitcoaststampers.  We are featuring the stamp sets from the Summer Mini Catalog.  I chose Bold Blossom.  I also used the new Blossom Bouquet Triple Layer punch introduced in the Summer Mini.  I love the bright colors, too!

Supplies:
Melon Mambo Card Stock (115320)
Whisper White Card Stock (100730)
Daffodil Delight Card Stock (11968)
Melon Mambo Classic Stampin' Pad (115656)
Old Olive Classic Stampin' Pad (102277)
Bold Blossom Stamp  Set (W - 123232; C - 122232)
Framed Tulips Textured Impressions Embossing Folder (121809)
Blossom Bouquet Triple Layer Punch (122464)
Brights Brads (119740)
Daffodil Delight 3/8" Taffeta Ribbon (119766)

VC Rocks Color Challenge

Hi folks.  Sorry I've been gone.  Blogger has been having some MAJOR issues and I haven't been able to access my dashboard to post for several days.  However, it now looks like we're back in business :)

Today I am sharing a card that I cased from Dawn Olchefske.  You can see her lovely card here.  The color challenge over at VC Rocks this week is Early Espresso, Crumb Cake, Baja Breeze and Certainly Celery.  When I first saw the combo I thought, "Oh my!  How am I ever going to make that work?".  I really didn't think the colors would look good together.  Boy was I wrong!  I'm really happy with how the card came together; so much so that I'm using this card for a swap I'm participating in at Splitcoaststampers! 

Supplies:
Early Espresso Card Stock (119686)
Whisper White Card Stock (100730)
Certainly Celery Card Stock (105125)
Greenhouse Gala Designer Series Paper (117167)
Early Espresso Classic Stampin' Pad (119670)
Pretty Postage Stamp Set (W - 123095; C - 123097)
Crumb Cake Seam Binding (122332)
Jewels Basic Pearls (119247)
Postage Stamp Punch (122344)

Swap Card

I received this beautifuld card from the super talented Tanya Bell in our UStamp Designer Swap.  Didn't she do an amazing job? 

Rub-a-Dub-Dub

We have lived overseas for nearly six years and on the advice from others I left all my photos in storage.  Boy how I wish I hadn't done that!  So, imagine my surprise and joy when my honey found a disc full of pictures from when my kids were little.  Here is another layout I made with these photos. 

This is another layout that I took from one of the pre-made layouts that comes loaded on the My Digital Studio software.  I took two pages from the Hoppy Memories 12x12 album and changed out the Designer Series Papers and the Card Stock colors.  I used the Circle Circus stamp brush set to create the "bubble" accents on the pages.  A strategically placed label on the first page not only marks my date but covers up my daughter where she was proudly "exposing" herself LOL.  I think this 2-page layout took me a grand total of about 15 minutes to complete from start to finish.  I can't say enough about how wonderful My Digital Studio is!  I can't believe I had it for more than a year before I started really getting into it!  I you have your copy already and haven't opened it, then you really need to do so right away!  And if you don't yet own My Digital Studio, what are you waiting for???  I haven't even begun to tap into the potential of this amazing software and you've already seen what I've accomplished. 

Beautiful Baby Boy

My hubby came across a CD with some old digital photos on it the other night.  These were taken with our very first digital camera about 10-1/2 years ago.  Can I just say that digital photography has come A LONG WAY!!!  These are not the best pictures, but they are pictures nonetheless.  I think the page speak for themselves :)  I took two pages from the Rock-A-Bye Boy template that comes with the My Digital Studio software and added photos.  Nothing more.  Nothing less.  Well, maybe a few strategically placed coordinating embellishments over some not so flattering areas of the photos :)  Easy peasy!

I want to wish all of you moms out there a super fantastic and happy Mother's Day! 

Teacher Gift

The school year is quickly coming to an end.  Are you stumped for a teacher gift?  I have the PERFECT solution!  My first UStamp with Dawn and Friends Classes, Clubs and Camps project has posted and I am so excited to share it with you! 

All UStamp projects include a coordinating card and envelope, so you're really getting two tutorials from each designer!  This session has only just begun so hurry over to my sidebar and click on the UStamp with Dawn and Friends Classes, Clubs and Camps blinkie to join us!  You don't want to miss out on over 40 projects from the most amazingly talented group of stampers as well as live chats and loads of projects! 

Ghosts, Goblins and Ghouls

I have slowly been going through my pictures - in no particular order.  Here are a few from Halloween.  I took the two-page October layout from the "A Year in Review Photobook Template" and tweaked it for my Halloween page.  I'm pretty satisfied with the way it turned out.

I can't wait to see these in print!  I guess I have to wait until the end of the month when I order all my pages!

A Challenge Card

Here is a card I created in My Digital Studio for the card portion of this week's VC Rocks challenge.  I love how MDS gives you the ability to change the size of your stamped images.  I can also change the opacity of my colors to give my digital creations that tone on tone effect we all like so well.  The Just Believe stampbrush set is an additional download that can be purchased for your My Digital Studio software.  Love it!

Forest Adventure Park Layout AND New Winner for Blog Candy

My neighbor's son wanted to celebrate his 11th birthday by going ziplining and we were fortunate enough to be invited to celebrate with him.  Yesterday I shared a page I did for a VC Rocks challenge.  I changed it up a bit and added a second page so that I can get it printed and put it in my scrapbook.  I'm really happy with how these pages turned out. 

Since I did not hear from "nana", I had to choose a new winner for my blog candy.  And the winner is ...

Kimberly S. said...

Glad to see you back! We missed you!! So glad your hubby is home safe and sound! That's ALWAYS good news!! And I would've put my blog off if I were you, too!! Family time is VERY important! Glad things are getting back to normal for you! I'm sure it's EXTREMELY difficult to be the wife of a military man! Congrats on holding it all together while he was gone!! :)
April 30, 2011 11:40 PM

Kimberly, I have sent you an email!!!  Congratulations.

VC Rocks Moderator Challenge Week May 1-7

If you haven't heard of VC Rocks, then you really need to head on over to their blog and check it out!!!  In a nutshell, VC Rocks is The Original Virtual Convention -- A Celebration of Everything Stampin' Up!  I couldn't be happier that I found it! 

This week, a challenge was issued!  I love challenges and have promised myself that I would participate in more of them. The challenge is as follows:

Challenge #1 – Card Challenge
Your project must have
* At least 2 CIRCLES (stamped, punched, buttons, etc. whatever size you choose and however you want to make 2 circles)
* Loni’s favorite color Real Red or the color of her bike – Cherry Cobbler
* Congratulations theme

Challenge #2 – Scrapbooking Challenge
* Scrapbook page, any size
* Must have at least At least 2 CIRCLES (stamped, punched, buttons, etc. whatever size you choose and however you want to make 2 circles)
* Must have Loni’s favorite color Real Red or the color of her bike – Cherry Cobbler.
* Any theme
* Must have at least 1 picture
* Must have a title
* Must have journaling.

I chose to participate in Challenge #2 to begin.  I used MDS to create my 12 x 12 scrapbook page.  I THINK I've met all the requirements.  What do you think? 

Now I know I promised you double-page layouts and I will deliver!  I have changed this up just a bit and added a second page and will share that tomorrow!

Blog Candy Winner

I used random.org to choose the winner of my blog candy and the results are in ...

True Random Number Generator

Min: 1
Max: 2
Result: 1
Powered by RANDOM.ORG

nana said...


Oh I'm the first comment. Hope your day is sweet and thank you for all creative inspirations. Warm Blessings.
April 30, 2011 5:49 PM
 
Nana, please email me your mailing address ASAP so I can get you your prize!  You have until 6:00 p.m. Central Time tonight (Monday, May 2) to get in touch or I will choose a new winner.
 
Thanks for playing!

Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium

One of the amazing sites here in Okinawa is the Churaumi Aquarium.  It is the second largest aquarium in the world.  We've been fortunate to go several times and each time is a treat!  I am so grateful for the opportunities living abroad has given to my children.  This is another page that started out as a single-page layout that I have bumped up to a double-page layout.  You have seen the first page before, although it's been awhile!  Here is the finished layout.