New Kits Meets UFO

I've had beach photos matched up with patterned paper for almost two years, just waiting for some scrappy mojo. Every few weeks I would spread everything out on my desk and wait for the magic and I got nothing. I knew I love the photos with the paper but still couldn't get it together. Last Sunday, Studio Calico posted a sketch challenge and I really wanted to play along. I took out the beloved photos and paper and started looking at the last few kits I've received. I finally started feeling it and ended up creating a two-page layout that I LOVE! I think it may be my new favorite.

I love how the Studio Calico kraft die cuts pair beautifully with the My Mind's Eye paper (indie chic), and how the mixed alphas, buttons, and chipboard hearts pull the layout together. Don't ever give up on photos and paper that you love, it will eventually come together, if you're patient!

Wishing you all a blessed Easter weekend. We had a couple of surprises pop out of our bunny hole today... Meet Patches and Frosty!

Kit Inspiration

As soon as I received Cocoa Daisy's April kits, I was inspired to create. Take a look at this photo and you'll see why.

Here are a few layouts I've created with the kits.

Today it's cold and rainy, a perfect excuse to hang out in my scrap room. I still have tons of goodies left from these kits and some fun photos that are waiting to be scrapped.

Trading Spaces

When we moved into our house four years ago, we moved into a smaller home. Although it was not our ideal situation, we made the best of it and crammed most of our furniture into the space. I never loved having a big, bulky sectional right off my kitchen. In our last house, the beast was hidden away in a room above the garage, where I didn't actually have to see it. Now I was forced to look at it all.day.long, never escaping it's massive shadow. In the beast's defense, it was so comfortable that it could almost be forgiven for its ugliness.

Fast-forward 3 1/2 years, and I was finally able to talk my husband into getting rid of the beloved sectional. I always wanted the space to hold our farmhouse table, so at a moment's notice I could seat a crowd. I truly love the feel of a big eat-in kitchen, where everyone gathers and loves to hang out. Within two days, we had the sectional sold (yay!), and all the furniture pieces in place. Now I truly love the feel of the space - family dinners are much more relaxed since we're not trying to squeeze into our seats.

Here are a few close-ups of some of my favorite pieces:

This last piece used to be gold and I gave it an update with Benjamin Moore Palladian Blue. It's so fresh and fun, I love how it turned out. It's amazing how simply trading spaces within our home has transformed it into a relaxing environment.