Simple things

Recently, I have come to realize, despite the numerous photos that are on my computer, they are missing something......ME!!! My sister, who is a wonderful photographer, has encouraged me to get in front of the lens. It's a bit hard to do since I work full time. However, I have taken on this challenge since I want my children to remember their mommy when they were so small.

So, how did I accomplish this task most recently? I enlisted the assistance of my tripod, remote shutter release and my almost 5 year old. Yes, my daughter loves to pretend to be the picture taker, so she is all on board to help me out. She stood next to the tripod and jumped up and down, just like any adult would do to get a 12 month old to look at the camera and smile. I wish I had a secret video camera to have captured that moment. But, at least I have this photo of my son and me. Thank you, sweet Leah, for capturing this moment.

Be sure to stop by Rebecca's blog for more simple things.

Pages with Papertrey, sketch #9

***Gasp*** I know it's been a while since I've played along with Pages with Papertrey. Let's see, this page plays along with Pages with Papertrey sketch #9. Leigh used this sketch.

I really had these images printed out and sitting on a piece of 12x12 paper before my son's 1st birthday. Yes, over a month ago, I thought I would scrap this layout. But no adhesive ever touched the page. It's actually a good thing for me, I think. There was something about it that just wasn't right. You, see, the photos that I intended to use were 3x4. If they were a bit bigger, they would've filled in the space and I just felt it was too empty. So I decided to use some paper to fill it in a bit.

I used some PTI Rustic Cream cardstock along with other papers from the Becky Higgins Sweet Baby kit. The "3 month" chipboard circle and "family" rub-on were also part of the kit. I used my PTI Banners die to create the banner and added epoxy stickers from the kit on top. I used score tape underneath the banners to adhere it and placed the banners on top with foam tape. It was a little easier than I thought to make it work. The bows I simply adhered using a glue dot right on top of the banner. The file tab is a sticker which is also from the kit. I used PTI's Mini Scrapbook series: Library Ledger for the date as well to make my journal lines. The main 12x12 is Quicksand from Bazzill.

I have also been trying to work on the second half of this 2 page layout. Yes, these pictures have been "staring" at me as well. Do not fear, though. They will make it to the blog soon. And I have also started that sewing project that I eluded to before in my PTI July blog hop post. It's amazing how much "free" time I have now that I am not planning a birthday party.

If you love baby pics, I hope you stop by tomorrow. You won't want to miss this. Really! Thanks for stopping by!

PTI July blog hop

I know what you are thinking. Yes, this is my third post for the day. Today I have 2 regular scheduled posts for CAS-ual Fridays and DeNami Design, but it also happens to be Papertrey Ink's monthly blog hop.

I cannot miss out on the fun. This past weekend I managed to create my card. I was inspired by the gorgeous photo of flowers, but as we often know, sometimes a card that we have envisioned just doesn't work out. I scratched the flowers and decided to create my card based on the beautiful colors.

Of course, I just realized as I uploaded my photo, that you can say I was inspired by the circles to the right of the image *wink*. I recently saw this card post by Wida and wanted to try this technique. I have made some circle garland in the past, but on a much larger scale. I used Boy Basics: Circles inked up in (top to bottom) Harvest Gold, Simply Chartruese, Berry Sorbet, Summer Sunrise and Melon Berry. After inking up the circle images, I punched them out with my 1 inch circle punch. Then I ran them through my sewing machine, hence the crooked stitching and uneven length between circles. If any of you sew with fabric, you know how forgiving it can be. Paper, well, there is no "seam ripping" to fix anything. I was happy enough to get them to fit on the front of the card. The sentiment is from Iconic Images. It's a bit hard to see in the photo, but I also ran my Stamper's select white cardstock through my Cuttlebug with the Linen/canvas IP. It is my all time favorite IP!

Since I did mention sewing, the last time I shared a project with you was back around Easter. Have no fear. I plan on making that next project in the very near future. And just to tease you again, here is the sneak peak at the beautiful fabric.

DeNami product spotlight- Sending you smiles

This is my second post for the day. If you are looking for my CAS-ual Fridays challenge card, please scroll down.

This post is dedicated to DeNami product spotlight, Sending you smiles across the miles. To see the rest of the design team's fabulous creations, head on over the the DeNami Design blog.

To create my card I inked up and selectively wiped off Palm Tree Silhouettes to create my focal point and finished it off with some twine and a bow.

Don't forget that this fabulous stamp is 10% off for one week only.You are definitely going to want to put it in your shopping cart.

CAS-ual Fridays, Back in black

Hello blog friends! I hope your week has been fabulous so far. I have a card to share today for this week's CAS-ual Fridays challenge: Back in black. The challenge is to create a clean and simple card using a black card base.

Our sponsor is Lil' Inker Designs.
This week's winner will win a $20 gift certificate.

I created my card using only two stamps and one die cut. The frame is from PTI's Angled lables and the sentiment from Fillable frames #1. I love the challenge to create a card with a black card base. You can create so many different types of cards: elegant, masculine, etc. I went with a bright and bold card.

Don't forget that you have until noon on Thursday to play along and link up!

CAS-ual Fridays, let's strip

Happy Wednesday, friends! I hope your week has been relaxing. I am enjoying some family time. Yay! Today's card that I have to share with you is for this week's CAS-ual Fridays challenge:  let's strip! Yikes, I know. Sounds a bit R rated, but the challenge is to create a clean and simple project using strips of paper, fabric, etc.

Our fabulous sponsor this week is Freckled Fawn!
This week's winner will win a $25 gift certificate.

 

I created my card using leftover heart border strips from a previous project. Love that! The sentiment is from Technique Tuesday, Favorite Memories by Ali Edwards . I love that stamp set!! Thanks for stopping by and don't forget that you have until noon on Thursday to link up and play!!

Happy {belated} birthday, Joshua!!!

I hope everyone had a wonderful and relaxing weekend. I spent my Saturday celebrating my littlest one's 1st birthday. My sweet little Joshua turned one year old! I can hardly believe how the time has flow by. It honestly seems just like yesterday that we brought him home from the hospital.

I snapped this photo of him when he was just 2 weeks old. I am not a photographer by any means, but I certainly had fun trying to figure out how to photograph this little guy. Thank you sweet sis for giving me some pointers and thankfully our AC was not working at the time which made it comfy for this little guy to nap in just his diaper.



I begged asked my sister if she could photograph the birthday party. She truly did an amazing job! Thank you, thank you, Eva. Now the hard part is deciding which photos to scrapbook *wink*.

Here are just a few from the party.
 

 

Head on over to her blog, Life with 2 Dumplings to see more of the party. Please leave her some blog love. She put so much effort into this event for my little guy, it would mean a lot to me and to her. I will have a post coming soon to describe the party details. Enjoy!!

DeNami product spotlight- Fly a Kite

Hi friends! This is my second post today. If you are looking for my CAS-ual Fridays post, please scroll down. If you are here to see the fabulous DeNami Product spotlight, then you are in the right place. Today the design team is showcasing: Fly a Kite.

This stamp is super fun to create a spring, summer or even fall card. Unless you live in Florida, like me, then you won't see any flying kites in the winter. You can send a little message, wish someone well or even Happy Birthday. It is a fabulous image. I colored in my kite with my copics, the sentiment is a little message for you, celery cardstock for the cardbase, and I finished off with some aquamarine twine.

Remember that you can save 10% on this stamp for one week only. Head on over to the DeNami Design blog to see more fun creations!

CAS-ual Fridays, text me

It's that time of the month again over at CAS-ual Fridays. The winner of this week's challenge will earn the guest design spot for next month as well as a $25 gift certificate from our fabulous sponsor Simon Says Stamp.

I created my card using PTI's Bacground Basics: Newsprint. I stamped it in Soft Stone ink onto Soft Stone cardstock to create a subtle background. The sentiment "messages" and the little phone are from AMuse studio. The remaining sentiments are from PTI. I tied some black DMC floss around the notebook die to mimic the reminder when we tie string around our finger. Don't forget you have until noon on Thursday to create your project!

DeNami July blog hop

Hi everybody! I hope you are having a fabulous time visiting the DeNami blog hop.  We've got some gorgeous summer creations for you. You should've arrived from Linda's blog.

I created my card using Three line border stamped across my cardbase,  small hibiscus, and Sending you sunshine.  I added some Melon twine and red button to finish off my card.

Don't forget to leave comments along the way for a chance to win a $20 gift certificate. There will be several given away. For a full list of blog hop participants, visit the DeNami Design blog.

Thanks for stopping by. Your next visit along the hop is

Suzanne's blog!

CAS-ual Fridays, round and round

It's the middle of the week and I hope it has been a good one so far. Today I have a card to share with you for this week's CAS-ual Fridays challenge: round and round. The challenge this week is to create a clean and simple project using 2 circles. Sounds easy enough, right?

Our fabulous sponsor this week is The Twinery. They generously gave the Girl Fridays a little sample of twine to play with. Boy has it been fun! The winner of this week's challenge will win {I dream in twine} pack valued at $32. What a gorgeous selection of twine!!!

A friend is mine is expecting her first baby, a boy. For my card, I created a mini tag bunting using PTI's Tiny Tags #2. I stamped the sentiments in Soft Stone to keep it soft with the other colors I used.  It's a little hard to see but the sentiments are: little miracle, bundle of joy and son. I used The Twinery's Buttercream to hang the tags. Thanks for stopping by my blog. Don't forget you have until noon on Thursday to link up!

Party sneak peek

Happy Monday blog friends! Lately, my blog has been quiet, but there is good reason. My craftroom has been super busy as I have been preparing for my son's first birthday party which is just under 2 weeks away. For a full-time working mom, this means a few sleep deprived nights, but it is so worth it to me. I won't reveal everything, but don't fret, you will get to see the whole party when the celebration is over. For now I will keep you in suspense.

Here is his birthday card, which I have posted before.

Here are a few peeks:

And here are a few pics of my little guy that I snapped about 2 weeks ago. I really can't believe he is turning 1!

His famous scrunched up face