Challenge: Things That Make You Smile

This Cocoa Daisy challenge was issued by Stephanie and the hardest part was narrowing down the choices. After all, there are so many things that make me smile. I finally decided on these photos of P. and her coconut. She's always had an obsession with coconuts (and eyeballs) and she was begging me to buy her a real coconut to taste. P. has such a fun imagination - she wanted to name her coconut and decided on Adobo because she loves to say it. Thanks to a You Tube video, we learned how to find the soft eye of the nut so we could drain it and taste the juice. We then baked, cracked, and ate Adobo. Sad, I know. Here is my take on the challenge...

Such a fun memory! I thought the My Mind's Eye Miss Caroline paper was perfect for the challenge. I still have some fun pics left of Adobo - this may turn into a 2-pager. :) Thanks for stopping by!

Peeps & a Coonskin Cap

Easter morning I'm ready and waiting with my camera to capture my Daughter's first glimpse of her basket. I'm the one that got a big surprise... she came in with her coonskin cap from Pigeon Forge. I had to laugh because it was so cute and unexpected. Now comes the hard part -- how to scrap Easter pics and tie Coonie (her name for her cap) into the layout. Along comes Cocoa Daisy's June kit with My Minds' Eye (Miss Caroline), Pink Paislee's Prairie Hill and some Simple Stories thrown into the mix. This was the perfect paper combo to tie Peeps and a coonskin cap together. Here is the layout... I love when the unexpected challenge turns out to be a favorite layout. If you haven't had a chance, be sure to enter my giveaway (drawing is 6/22/12) here.

Too big for trick or treating {almost}

This was the Halloween that I've been dreading since my dear Son was born. He announced that he was not going to dress up and go trick-or-treating. I'll admit, for one split second I thought to myself, "Yay, one less costume to deal with." But then, my heart got heavy and I realized we were coming to the end of an era and I wasn't prepared for it. I would ask him daily if he had changed his mind and he stood firm in his decision. Finally, on the 30th, I asked him one more time and informed him that I would not have time to run around on Halloween to pick up a costume for him. Without hesitation, he responded, "Yes, I want to go and I want to be a skeleton!" Would you believe we ran into our local drug store and the perfect costume was there, waiting for him to claim it (on sale, too!)

I decided that I needed to make a mini album of all the costumes the kids have worn over the years. Although this may have been the last year for him to participate (I hope it's not!), I now have an adorable mini album that I'll cherish always.

I used the adorable My Mind's Eye Mischievous line for this project. I think it's one of my all-time favorite Halloween collections. It's going to be a busy, scrappy week for me... I'm trying to get all my fall layouts completed and I'm also attending two crops this weekend!

Thanks for stopping by... enjoy these beautiful fall days while they last!

Core'dinations Challenge

This morning I saw a Core'dinations challenge on FB and I decided to join in on the fun. The challenge is to journal, use Core'dinations cardstock in a visible manner and to link up the project to their blog. Here is my take on the challenge.

I embossed the Core'dinations, rubbed the heart shape from a die, then etched out PMC with a distressing tool. For the journaling block, I used my paper scorer to make journaling lines.

Products used:
Core'dinations: Dewberry and Whitewash
Patterned Paper: My Mind's Eye Good Day Sunshine
Thickers: Salutations
mini alphas: Glitz Teeny Alpha
My Mind's Eye Lime Twist
twine: The Twinery Caribbean
dies: QuicKutz
embossing folder: Tim Holtz

Thanks for looking!

Triple C-rated (Creating canvas w/Cricut)

Some of you may know that I recently acquired a Cricut from a dear friend (you know who you are!) I'll admit, I've been a little intimidated to try it out but I figured rather than let it just collect dust, I should actually use it! Since I only have two fonts, I used my "phone a friend" option and bummed a couple of cartridges. Thanks, T. :)

I started with a pre-primed 12x24 canvas, paints, fabrics, and some patterned paper. I used Heat and Bond on the back side of the fabric to prepare it for the Cricut. For the tree and follow your, I used Core'dinations and patterned paper. The bliss is different fabrics layered on a background of patterned paper. The swing is just twine and a piece of naked chipboard cut down.

Here is a view of the finished project...

I hope this inspires you to dust off the supplies, push out of your comfort zone and try something new! I also had to share what my space looked like when I finished the project. Obviously, I am CRAZY messy when I'm creating!

Thanks for stopping by! :)

NSD

National Scrapbooking Day is a real holiday to me. I know that sounds a little strange but when there is a day set aside for something that I'm so passionate about, I'm celebrating it!

I had to run a few errands here and there but was still able to hang out and have some fun with my peeps over at FortheLuvofArt.com. Norma, Carrie and the DT did an amazing job throwing out the challenges of the day. Luckily, I have until Monday to get them done but I did manage to crank out three projects.

Thanks for stopping by to take a peek! It's nice to have visitors, especially ones that you don't have to clean up for. :)

Peace. Love. Happy NSD!

Challenge Addict

I have become so dependant on challenges from fortheluvofArt.com; that I wasn't sure I could still scrap without one. I will always be a fan and participate in the challenges but today I decided to scrap solo!! It took a few minutes to get the mojo flowing but it eventually came back to me.

I've been so excited to use this line (My Mind's Eye Fine & Dandy.) I ♥ all the patterns & colors. Here is what I came up with...

Thanks for looking!

What do you do to get your scrappy mojo running? :)

When I saw the My Mind's Eye Fine and Dandy collection, I had to have it all!! This is my first layout created with the Tickled Pink line. I think I love this line so much because of the amazing, bright colors. It makes me forget that we're smack dab in the middle of winter! :) TFL!

Happy New Year!

Every year I make calendars to give to the grandparents and I also make one for us to keep. It's so fun (and bittersweet) to go through the calendars and see the changes in the children and to remember special moments captured throughout the year.

I just wanted to share our 2011 calendar. May your 2011 be filled with peace and happiness, Happy New Year!

More HHI mini album

The top shot is a layout I did for a challenge @ For the Luv of Art. The rest are a few more detailed shots of the mini! TFL!

Hilton Head Mini album

I purchased a mini album months ago with the intention of using it for beach photos. I'm not typically into mini's but I must say that I really enjoyed this project and I'm happy with the result. Thanks for looking!