"Son"flowers

The latest challenge over at the Paper Girls Challenge Blog is:  Messy!

Sounds great!  This is a family that enjoys getting messy and let's face life.is.messy!

My son has been working very hard all summer long to nurture a small garden outside of his window - the perfect subject for getting messy - even his hair is a bit messy!

Fluffy Ribbon Fall ATC

I'm just loving this ATC that I created for a swap I am coordinating with a bunch of gal pals.  I wanted to create something that was "out of the box" for me and forced me to USE up some of the ribbon I have.

Well - wouldn't you just know it but the gals over at Use It Tuesday issued their latest challenge to use ribbon - SWEET!  I've had this green ribbon for two years.  My daughter and I bought it to make those cute flip flops that are fuzzy and stuff - guess what they were cute but once the ribbon was wet - they were ruined.  Also, I used burlap ribbon that I recently purchased at my LSS - I LOVE IT!

I is for Ice Cream

Back to SCHOOL!!!  Each year on the first day of school, we ALL take pictures.  I go back to school, too, ya know!

This year was no different - after the car was loaded down with our gear for school - saxophone, backpacks, lunches, water, mom's school supplies, and yet another backpack - we were ready for a few photos.  I am amazed at how these two precious people have grown.  Eight grade and sixth grade - sheesh - time is flying!!!  

At the end of our first day of school, we ALWAYS meet Dad for some ice cream.  It's the best way to talk about the day, find out who they ate lunch with, and share some laughs.  This year was no different!  I really love how this layout turned out and cannot wait to see how these two continue to grow.

As you may have suspected - this is a sketch from ScrapbookSteals.com and was the guide I used to create the layout.  (You may have noticed that I deviated from the layout just a bit... )

Supplies used:  Kraft paper

Ribbon from StampinUp!

Curiosity from Authentique

Back to School

I love the fact that both of my kids really love school - and I love that they have great friends who are compassionate and willing to give to others.  I love that my boy surrounds himself with kids who share his love for Christ and are not afraid to walk the walk and talk the talk.  (That's a lotta love!)

Two weeks ago, the kids went back to school to spend time with their friends and to take on new challenges.  Going back to school is not just about getting a new backpack or lunchbox (neither of those were new at our house this year), but rather its about making connections with friends, growing up and trying new things.  I'm very proud of how my kids strive to learn without letting their socializing get in the way - they are adorable.

Anyway - I think that this is a fun challenge from Use It Tuesday - to create from your stash for a back to school layout or other project.  I used some Basic Gray that I've had for some time along with a bunch of odds/ends that I no longer even remember what they are from.  I enjoy the challenges that I've been able to complete with Use It Tuesday - they are such clever girls!

Happy 80th Birthday

The most recently challenge from the Paper Girls Challenge Blog is to create something to celebrate a birthday.  I created these altered art pieces for my FIL's 80th birthday.  I tried to collect all kinds of memorabilia from 1932 which is his birth year.  He loved it and that's the best gift of all!

Quotes and Thoughts

Well we meet again!!!  I've been trying to "clean" up the crafting room (or as the kids call it my crapping room - cuz there's so much crap all over the floor!) - and in the process I completed two layouts and I am almost done with my Fall-ish ATCs.

Pearl 4A:  Quotes and Thoughts

The kids are running up to the Jersey Jim and then we went on a family hike.  I tried so hard to remember every word - even used a journal to capture the memories!!!

The sketch!

Pearl 4B:  Up and Down - Jeff took this amazing photo and it really does justice to the height of the tower.

TOP 5!!!! How cool is THAT?

LUNCHTIME UPDATE:

I AM IN THE TOP 5 (two of the other gals are part of my scrappin gal pals group!!!)  Please vote for me!!!!

Here's the card:

Here's the link:

We R Memory Keepers

Thank you so very much!!!

Good morning - its Friday and wow - what a crazy day yesterday was - I happened to be chatting with a few of my scrappin gal pals and found out that a card that I had created for Operation Write Home with We R Memory Keepers was in the Top 10 as voted on by Facebook fans.  


Imagine my surprise!!!  Seriously - there are three of us from our FB group who have cards in the top 10.  I am absolutely honored!  Voting continues until there is a Top 5 and then a GRAND PRIZE Winner!!!


Here's my card - 

And here's the link to the voting - 


We R Memory Keepers - Facebook