Challenges = Quick & Easy Layouts

Just a short post today, sharing my latest layouts created for various challenges at Cocoa Daisy. I haven't had much time to scrap lately, and challenges are an easy way to get focused and complete layouts within small blocks of time.

I can't believe it's almost October - wishing you a fabulous fall, and the fun and cozy things that it brings! ♥

Strong Girls

This month's exclusive papers from Cocoa Daisy (Stephanie Wheeler), have to be my all-time favorite. As soon as I opened the box, I was inspired to create. The floral paper was my starting point, and although I love the printable by My Mind's Eye, I felt the gold was a little bright for the photo I wanted to use for this layout.

I decided to copy the printable onto vellum and I was pleasantly surprised how it turned out. The only problem was the paper was too busy showing underneath the vellum. I played around for a bit with layers of vellum, cardstock, etc. and then I layered the vellum over the printable and that's when the magic happened. I realized if I offset it just a bit, the gold came through and created the softest shadow.

I stitched the vellum onto the printable and fussy cut some of the paper to add dimension. I knew the quote, "She believed she could so she did" was perfect for this photo of me with my mom and daughter. We are strong-willed, determined, feisty girls! ♥

Cherished Photo

To me, every photo I take is a cherished memory. Unfortunately, I have very few pictures of my mother as a child. This is one that I love because my Grandmother actually gave me the original. I've really only scrapped since my children were born and I haven't taken the time to go back and document my history. This layout is my first "heritage" type layout. I used the gorgeous FTLOA Oct. kit and I'm thrilled with the outcome. I'm now inspired to go back through old family photos and create an album with them. TFL!

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!

July 4th Celebration

Wow, what a busy and fun day we had. We went to Sunday School, grabbed some Chinese food for lunch and came home to prepare for our cookout & fireworks extravaganza! Paige & I made the Flag Cake from Ina Garten's cookbook and it was a huge hit! :)
As usual, my hubby put on quite the fireworks display. Some friends from our old neighborhood stopped by to watch with us, so it turned into a fabulous evening for us and especially, our kids!

Breaking Ground

This week is ground-breaking for our new barn!!! The kids & I purchased a new shovel for the ceremonial scoop of dirt. Seeing the grin on my husband's face as he drove the tractor around, reminded me of a story my daughter wrote in class this year. The first two sentences are, "A man is a boy. My dad is a man." No truer words have been written, this man is a boy at heart, that's one of the things I love about him!