Paper Girls Challenge 100th Post Spectacular

Congratulations to The Paper Girls Challenge Blog as they celebrate their 100th posting.  I've been very blessed to have worked with these lovely ladies as both a guest designer and as a continuing designer.  As my children have gotten older, their activities have become much more time consuming.  They are both active in the high school marching band, concert band, church, work (yes - my boy has a job, now), and earning amazing grades.  So, because of all this, my crafting has taken a serious back seat.  I carve out time to craft, but nothing major or what I would consider posting - that explains why its been a while since I’ve posted here.

In celebration of the 100th posting - the theme is Paper Girls/Paper Dolls/Friends and my favorite crafting supply/ideas website is sponsoring us:  Scrapbook Steals!! 

With that said, let me explain to you how I came up with my project.  I focused on my very best friend, my husband.  He really encourages me to be so much more than I think I am - to reach higher - to learn more - to be the best wife, mom, teacher, and to express myself creatively.  Then I looked at how my friends have influenced me over the past 15 or so years.  My online friends have shared a multitude of scrapping techniques, card making techniques, their projects and their lives.  I honestly believe that the friends I have, have made a positive impact on my life.  I am very blessed.  I used butterflies on my project to represent my friends. 

Without ScrapbookSteals.com and the friends I have made through their online community, I would never have found Echo Park, StampinUp!, Kiwi Lane Designs, Prima Marketing Flowers, We R Memory Keepers, October Afternoon, and many other companies.  All of which are contained within this layout.

Please join us in celebrating 100 posts, create something about your friends and then share with us.  Blessings to you, your friends, and your family!  

Multiple Layouts {Lilac 3 #1, 2, 3}

Here goes!  Scrapbooksteals.com has SEVEN different layouts for this week.  SEVEN!!!

I am really thankful that there are so many layouts so that I can get more of my vacation album finished.

When we went to see the Colorado Rockies, it rained so much that the game was delayed a full hour and we were not able to go to our rooftop seats.

Up in the Rocky Mountain National Park, we hiked a few times.

 And - this is the view of the cabin we stayed in on the western side of RMNP.

This is from the Lilac series and you can find all of the information here.

Scraper {Lilac #2}

Another layout from our vacation.  We are desert dwellers and our kids have not seen an ice scraper before.  So when they found one in our rental car we had to explain what it was.  Too funny!!

The layout is based on Lilac #2 sketch for scrapbooksteals.com - I did rotate the sketch in order to get the photos scrapped that I really wanted to work on.  Interestingly, after we explained how the scraper worked, we had a really nice hail storm (followed by a tornado).  Crazy weather in Denver!

Father's Day @ the airport {Lilac #1 scrapbooksteals.com}

Father's Day 2015 for my husband was probably one of the most memorable of all time!  We were departing on our family vacation and had planned our morning perfectly.  We were up at 2 am and the kids were up at 2:30 am - left the house and arrived at the airport by 3:30 am to check in, etc and be ready for our flight to depart at 5:10 am.

But that did not happen.  Once we arrived and approached the checkin desk, we were told that the flight was cancelled.  CANCELLED????!!!!

Yup, we had to rebook, repurchase, and relocate ourselves until the flight took off.  Which was at 12:15 pm.  Crazy start to our vacation and certainly - the most memorable Father's Day ever for my honey.

Layout is based upon a sketch from Scrapbook.Steals.com - Lilac #1:

Have a great day!

Getting Ready for Spring?

Getting Ready for Spring?  Sure - its been upwards of 91 degrees here; time for "short pants" instead of "long pants"; time for fun crafts; time for Spring Training baseball games; time for visits with family during Spring Break.  And - after seeing this lovely tree branch decorative piece created by Christine Meyer, 

I created my own!

Have a great St. Patrick's Day!  Spring is just around the corner.

Hey ... What's New? {Where did you go?}

Ok, so let's just say that its been a realllllly looooong time since I last posted on my blog (yes - I know, last post was August 2014).  I've got my reasons!  Just like many of you out there - life has come at me fast and furious which means that my craftiness has been left in the dust a bit.  Have I been crafting, you ask?  Well sure!  But just not in the same manner as I had been the past couple of years while on the most amazing design teams.  Sure - I still stalk the aisles at scrapbook stores (we don't have a LSS any longer) and I still create cards, altered art and pages - I just have not been sharing as much as I should have been.

Since my last post, which sadly was also my last design team posting, I have been in the throws of teaching English Language Arts to 7th and 8th graders.  I have a full load of class and no prep time - which turns into grading papers until the wee hours of the night at home instead of during my prep period at school.  We’ve adopted new curriculum and I have to learn how to use that along with a new state assessment.

We made it through our second year of marching band, capturing 6th in the state (insert a great deal of disappointment!) and sent our son off to Chicago for the Midwest International Music Clinic in December.

The same said son has now turned 16 - taken driver’s education - and earned his driver’s license.  This event takes on a whole new perspective in parenting and I really cannot concentrate on being creative while I’m worried about the other drivers out there!

Spring break is approaching fast and that will bring my mom out for a visit.  Hopefully there will be some crafty time in there!  I have promised our daughter that I will do a craft table at the school spring fling in April. 

That about does it - you should be up to speed and know that my need to craft is building like a tsunami ready to unleash its power on the shoreline.

How about your self?  Have you been crafting?  Have the tsunami waves been building up in you?  Has life been fast and furious?  Love to hear from you!

Mini-Album Summer Vacation {SWAT Drill #38}

Here's my last creation for SWAT.  Life is happening really fast here at the Johnson household and I've decided to step back from my responsibilities as a Design Team member.  

This challenge was to create something with the theme of "Summer Vacation" - I created this mini album of our summer and this is one of my favorite pages.  The mini is somewhat of a smash album.  I journaled every day in this album and then filled in the photos and a few embellishments along the way.

Be sure to link up your summer vacation creation at SWAT and have a great day!

Metropolis, IL {PGCB #61 Superheroes}

Superheroes is the subject of our latest challenge at Paper Girls!  I’ve had a couple of layouts with superheroes in the past several months - one was from my 15 year old son’s birthday - which was Superhero themed.  Turned out really crazy busy with lots of colors and such so I took a 180 degree turn and created this clean and simple layout of our vacation to Southern Illinois a few years ago.  We had the opportunity to visit Super Man’s home in Metropolis, IL.  There’s not much else there but it sure what a great day to head out in the car for a country drive.  

After visiting the Superman museum, we made a stop at dippin’ dots.  as you can see ... the kids loved it!

don’t forget to link up your superhero inspired card, layout or altered art.

Backyard Camping 1974 {PGCG Challenge #60}

Happy Monday Morning!!!

I love the challenge at Paper Girls Challenge Blog this morning.  It is simply "OLD" - and Kristina has told us to interpret old any way we wish.  AWESOME!!!  My husband turned 50 this summer - so I started to think a layout all focused on my honey would be cool.  He doesn't feel 50 or old and since I'm only a year younger - I have to agree.  Then I was looking through some OLD photos from my childhood.  I kept staring at this photo of the little tent sent up in the backyard - it has to be from around 1974 - when I was 9 years old.

My dad encouraged us kids to use our imagination and to stay outside and play as long as the street lights did not come on - then we had to head home (quickly)!  My mom also encouraged our creativity with crafts, sewing and cooking.   I'm very thankful that both of my parents wanted us kids to be outside, think on our own, and learn how to be independent.

We moved on from the tent to a pop-up trailer to a pull-behind trailer and then from their we were grown.  Dad and Mom still have a trailer or pop-up trailer - and my family still goes camping.  As soon as both kids were out of diapers - we hit the National Forest Parks for many nights of tent camping.  

I absolutely hope that you enjoy looking through some OLD photos and join us at Paper Girls Challenge Blog - be sure to share your story behind the photo and tell us how old those photos really are.

Have a scrappy-happy day!

Mini-Album Camping {SWAT #36 Mood Board}

Good morning - SWAT's Mood Board challenge is up and running.  If you are like me, the words "Mood Board" threw me a bit - in that I really didn't know what a mood board was, but I soon discovered that it is an inspirational starting point.

This is what we were asked to use as a mood board titled "Home of the Brave":

We go tent camping each year for a portion of our family vacation.  Idyllwild, CA has some of the best camping spots and wonderful campground hosts.  This is what I created:

I incorporated the colors and sunset from the board as well as the outdoors theme.  I loved the word "BRAVE" that was in the board, and I really considered how this fits in with our family and vacations.  We've had to brave the elements (heat, rain, mosquitos), brave the trails (1.5 miles, then 3.3 miles and finally 6.5 miles - going from 6,000 feet in elevation to 7,000 - that was a strenuous challenge), and brave new places to go as a family.  We had not been to Solvang, CA and that was a cute little town - with an amazing crafting/make and take shop!

Don't forget to link up with us at SWAT and have a scrappy happy day!

June Blog Hop with {Practical Scrappers}

Scrappin' Our Stash Blog Hop 

June edition

Hope everyone is having a great day today!  We have a great blog hop for you at Practical Scrappers - the design team is such a creative group!!

Here’s my entry for this month’s blog hop - our son’s marching band’s program this year was entitled “Trilogy” and featured several soloists and grand flags toward the end of the program.  They took #1 in the State at the ABODA State Marching Band Championships.

I really love the chippies from Creative Embellishments - and - joy of joys - I have learned how to work with them (finally!).  I cover each piece with gesso - let it dry and then apply either Mr. Huey’s Mists or stamp ink or even paint from my kids’ craft kits.

This is one of my favorite chip pieces that they carry

the steampunk balloon:

Want to win a bit of scrappy stash of your own?  
I have several CE pieces up for grabs you just need to become a follower and leave a comment.  

One lucky winner will be chosen next week Friday.  

I can only ship to scrappy pals who live in the United States or Canada.

Next stop on the hop is Suzanna 

Have a great day and enjoy the hop!

Long Jump {SWAT Drill #34 Happy Feet}

Our latest Drill at SWAT is:  “Happy Feet”.  The rules are simple just create a Layout featuring happy feet! With or without shoes :)

My daughter was in track and field this school year and she did an amazing job improving her running times and her distance in the long jump.  She’s a petite girl but she can RUN and she can JUMP.  You will notice that I have chipboard letters from Creative Embellishments.  They even do custom orders!

Be sure to stop by SWAT and share your happy feet with us!

This month we Have an amazing sponsor!  One lucky winner will win a $20 Gift Card to shop at......

Make sure you hop on over for tons of amazing inspiration challenges and lots of fabulous products!! 

Make sure you let them know who sent you :)

Have a scrappy-happy day - as we welcome the first official day of summer ... (sing it like Olaf from "Frozen").

"Summer Lovin'" {PGCB #58}

Happy Monday!  Its my turn to host a PGCB Challenge.  

Summer is now in full swing and I keep singing summer songs.  Just to give you an idea of how “vintage” I can be - I think of “Summer Lovin’” from the musical GREASE.  Yes, we had to get the movie and watch it after spending the afternoon in the pool.  Great stuff!

So ... here’s the challenge:  Use a summer song in your title or your journaling. 

My daughter had her friends over for a pool party and they had the best time!  I just love listening to them screaming, laughing, singing and splashing.  They really do know how to have fun.

Be sure to link up your creations on our blog.  Have a great day!

A Selfie or Two {SWAT Drill #33}

Today's challenge at S.W.A.T. is to create a layout or other wonderful artwork that uses a "Selfie" picture.

I really do not like to take my picture or to have anyone else take my picture so that is one of those projects that I've been thinking about and procrastinating.  Finally, I settled on the fact that I really do need to create a page about myself and I'm going to add a bit to it - personalize it with some of my thoughts about myself - but that's for my eyes and written on a pull out tag:

Here are a few fun facts that I would love to share with you:
1.  I have not watched television at all in 12 1/2 years - yes, we own a TV but we only watch movies occasionally that are checked out from the public library.
2.  I really like my glasses.  I've worn contacts before - but I really like the way that glasses frame my face.
3.  I do not color my hair.  What you see is what you get.  Proverbs 16:31 - look it up and you will see another reason why I don't color my hair.
4.  I love vintage "stuff" - we have two working rotary dial phones in our house.  I love how they sound when ringing.
5.  There are lots of things that I wish were different about my looks - but I have to be content with who I am.  I have a husband who enjoys watching me when I stir the gravy.  My kids know that they are to blame for the shape my body has taken since their births.
6.  I am a wife, mother, teacher, and a friend to many.
7.  I love to volunteer my time, talents, and energy for others.
8.  I still sew and make things from scratch.
9.  I love my family more than anything in this world.
10.  I love My Savior more than anything in all of life.

Have a great day and I really do hope that you are inspired to create a layout that focuses on you.

Blog Hop Winner {Practical Scrappers}

Good morning!  Today is National Running Day - while I am not a devoted runner, my husband sure is.  He will run in the heat of the afternoon as I bike along with him.  I'm the water girl, the encourager, the conversationist ... but not the runner.  Yesterday, we celebrated our 19th Anniversary.  Its supposed to be a theme of "Bronze" - so in typical fashion - we both stuck to that theme.  I received beautiful roses and a bird bath for the backyard as well as bronzing lotion so that I don't get too sunburned, bronze nail polish and bronze powder.  He was also the recipient of some bronzing materials:  bronzing sun screen and a lounge chair for the pool deck so that he can bronze and relax.  {yes...we are kinda silly...but I really love him and the goofiness!}

I finally made a card for him - I make a lot of cards, but never for my honey (or so he says!):

Let's get to the exciting reason for today's post:  the winner from Scrapping Our Stash blog hop with Practical Scrappers is:

 Bobbi Smith said...

What a great page I love the distressing and the doodling!

May 30, 2014 at 5:08 PM 

Send me an email with your address and I'll get your scrappy-happy prize sent out.  You can email me at scrappin @ q {dot} com

May Blog Hop with Practical Scrappers

Good morning!!  Ready for a fun Scrap Your Stash Blog Hop?  I know that I sure am!

Practical Scrappers closed up shop on regular posts effective Mid May - but we will continue to run monthly hops because it is well loved by both our designers and fans!

For this hop, there is only rule:  to create from your stash - it can be anything...cards, layouts, pocket pages, etc. All of the designers have truly unique creations.  You should be arriving here from Laura's blog - if not, then head back to the Practical Scrappers site and start from there.

For my part of the blog hop, I created a layout using a sketch from Page Maps Calendar 2014, Farm House Paper, a bit of twine, and some My Mind's Eye papers.  Digging into my stash was a great idea - I've been hoarding several kits - thankfully, I have realized that its time to reorganize my scrappy space and create on a more regular basis.

Just before school was out for the summer and after my honey had been working 80+ hours a week - we headed up north to Prescott, AZ.  I really love going up there - 85 degrees versus our 105 degrees.

Every time we go on this hike, I take a photo of that sad, dead tree.  It was damaged in a lightning strike years ago and is still standing.

Want to win a bit of scrappy stash of your own?  

Become a follower and leave a comment.  

One lucky winner will be chosen next week Friday.  

I can only ship to scrappy pals who live in the United States.

Next stop on the hop is Wendy C 

Have a great day and enjoy the hop!

Return to Sending {Paper Issues}

Practical Scrappers Scrap Your Stash Blog Hop

Click here

Good morning! Here's a layout that I created to share with Paper Issues for their newest challenge - The focus is on travel, vacations and all things round.

As the end of the school-year comes and goes, I always get a bit sentimental.  I cannot believe how fast my kids are growing and each year our school year goes by so quickly.  One week, I'm introducing students to the school - the next week, we are talking about classes for next year!

So, my boy, as you continue to grow and learn - don't forget that there is always a safe haven for you here at home.

Mason Jar Madness {PGCB #55}

Happy Monday!  Its my turn to host a Challenge over at PGCB. I'm so excited to be sharing a Challenge with you.  As summer approaches, I get anxious to bring out the mason jars for a bit of mason jar madness.  We have several neighbors who have lemon trees.  We juice up those aromatic lemons for some fresh lemonade.  There is just something about the way lemonade tastes when its homemade and served in a mason jar.

Today’s challenge is Mason Jar Madness.  I saw this photo on the internet probably a year or so ago and just loved the idea of creating a fun summer lighting for our back porch.  

Here’s the photo inspiration (I wish I could remember where this came from!):

And here’s what I created:

Here's another photo to help show you what I did to create these decorative outdoor lights:

I used pint sized regular-mouth mason jars and then wrapped 18 gauge floral wire around the neck of the jar (about 18" long).  If you look closely, you will see that I made a loop on opposite sides of the jar.  To hang the jars, I used another piece of the wire and cut it in half then used needle-nose pliers to create smaller loops and hung it over the line I hung between pillars on the porch.  I used white Christmas lights and just stuffed lights into each jar and wound the lights around my line.  VERY EASY!!!

And then I also worked on a Mother’s Day gift.  I embellished a mason jar and stuffed it full of cute ribbons for a new mom in my neighborhood.  

So the challenge is to create something with mason jars.  Our DT created some amazing projects.  Be sure to link up your project and we’ll send out a snazzy prize for you!

Take care!

Deborah

Drill # 31: Color Challenge {SWAT}

Good Morning!!  SWAT is having another challenge - and this time its a color challenge.  Here's the color palette:

Here's what I did with it!

I really loved how this layout turned out - the color combination is just too fun and really fits the photos of the family and exhibit we saw at the Desert Botanical Garden.  I was fortunate enough to have my mom visit us for Easter and she loves the garden.  The "balloons" are actually hand blown glass by Chihuly.  He's an amazing artist and this is the second time I've seen his work at the garden.

Celebrate Good Times - PGCB Turns 2! {blog hop}

Welcome to The Paper Girls Challenge blog hop!

We offer our regular challenges every two weeks on the first and third Mondays of the month.  What do we do in the event there is a fifth Monday in the month?  Why we have a blog hop!

And this is no ordinary blog hop. We Paper Girls just recently celebrated our second anniversary! Happy blogiversary to us!

For our hop today we have created projects that have a Celebration theme and that use either wood veneer or chipboard shapes.

For my part on the hop, I created this very colorful layout of my son's 15th birthday.  Yes - in the Johnson house, we take great care to select a "theme" for birthdays and then go all out.  My son, who is rather creatiave, too,  came up with the balloon banner after looking on Pinterest.

Game time, see if you can spot the items that are used in pairs - to celebrate our Second Birthday at PGCB.

The fabulous store Creative Embellishments is offering a $25 gift certificate to our random winner! Creative Embellishments carries wood veneer shapes, chipboard, and stamps.  They have so many wonderful designs to choose from.  Please give them a big thanks from The Paper Girls over at their blog or facebook page.

And here's the hopping order:

Paper Girls Challenge Blog 

Erica

Charity

Deborah <<you are here

Michele <<next stop

Cathryn

Kristy

You have through Friday, April 4th to enter to win the gift certificate.  Good luck!