Sand & Surf

For some reason, I never got around to posting this layout last week... but here it is from Inspired Blueprints #1 Sketch. Can't remember who the pp is from, but the big "&" sign and "{brackets}" are Tim Holtz Grungeboard (which I really did NOT like working with!), Quickutz Moxie Classic, everything else is CTMH. Just a fun and quick layout finishing up my Cruise Album, the first pic lifts up to reveal more beautiful landscapes of the sand and surf of Mexico! Again, using the CTMH 6-pocket page protectors cut down, folded under, and attached using CTMH Bigger Brads.


Oh, and my favorite part was making my own scalloped paper using my old trusty Fiskars Shape Cutter and the Oval Template (which has the large scallop around the outer edge)... just happened to align perfectly with the polka dots of the pp! (FYI: The Circle template has a smaller scalloped edge, too!)

So close to complete

Many of you have seen my home in various stages of construction and/or demolition, well we are so close to complete and have put our home up for rent... email me if you are in the market for a home in Gainesville, FL.

Happy Halloween!

We, or should I say I, spent yesterday evening carving our pumpkins. I really don't think Miss H enjoys this tradtion as much as i do... can you tell by the look on her face!? I got all goopey and carved both of our pumpkins, with her supervision of course ;o)

Snokeling on the Reef

Couldn't find a good pp for this one, so I made my own using CTMH stamps and inks. I used different little rings from C1232 Groovy Celebration, B1229 Solo E, and D1264 Angel Whispers. Inks and Cardstock are Cranberry, Honey, Breeze, and Ocean. The first page uses Inspired Blueprints Sketch #2 and page 2 I made up to go with it.


The title area uses Quickutz Abigail, CTMH brackets from the Dimensional Elements Simple Lowercase, CTMH Cranberry Bigger Brads, a hand-cut sunshine, and a Signo white pen for the accents. The scalloped edges I made using my EK corner rounder by taking off the cutting guide. This layout was fun to do despite the cold weather today!

Happy Fall Y'All!

We had a very fun, but exhausting, day... just us girls! We found two of the most perfect pumpkins at the pumpkin patch (even got a few good photos), played at Michaels, ate lunch at Chick-fil-a, finally found some fun tights for H's witch costume at Target, and discovered that Office Depot in Tally does not carry any scrapbooking stuff... which really bums me out since I have a store credit there and wanted to get some refills for my trimmer (guess I will have to stock up next time I am in Gville!) We did pick up some flash card games for 2nd grade test-prep sight-words... which really surprised me to find out Miss H already knew 71 of the 96 words rights out of the box! I didn't know she could even sound out that many words, much less the sight-words! And she's only 4! Okay, I will admit it now, I really need to get this kid in classes of some sort!


The two pumkins in the front crack me up because they had warts all over them, Miss H kept saying they were moldy! There were also a number of RED pumpkins! It was sooo cool seeing all the different ones! Now I am off to try and get some scrapping done!

Tallahassee Moms Like Me

So, shortly after moving to Tallahassee, I found this great website for local events, info, chat, and bulletin boards. I finally got around to making a group on the site to share ideas and info, and to help coordinate crop nights. If you are a tallahasse mom (or dad) that likes to scrapbook, stamp, or craft feel free to visit our group, join in, and come to one of our crop nights!

http://tallahassee.momslikeme.com/members/groupabout.aspx?g=615376

Happy Birthday Amy!

If you know my little sister, she is turning 22 today October 18th! This makes me feel really old that my little sis is in her 20's, but anywhoo! I just wanted to say I love you and Happy Birthday Sweetheart! You are such an awesome sister, aunt, and friend! We hope you have a great weekend, try not to party too much! ;o) Hopefully we will see you soon!

Stingray City

Woohoo #2 for the night, probably my last so I can actually get some sleep and rest my poor knee! Maybe I shouldn't have started exercising until my knee was completely better, uugh! This one uses Basic Grey Romani PP's, some CTMH Cranberry CS and ribbon, and my new Quickutz Metro Classic and Skinni Mini (love it!), and the arrows. Again, thanks granny ;o) See, I am already putting them to use! A simple but fun one! Journaling and date are under the flap on the right side.

First WooHoo of Friday!

I am officially done with 2006!!!! I completed my goal I set for myself a couple weeks ago and it feels sooo good! And I ended on a really fun layout... Girly Girl Christmas! And I got to play with my new Abigail Grand! LOVING IT! And to think I was on the fence about this font! I also used Maddie Anne (one of my all time fav fonts!) And I used up some scraps of Basic Grey and CS! Yeah! Do you think I can say AND just one more time?! ;o)

Quicuktz Sale

Okay, here is what they still have at Ruban Rouge, since i seem to be the QK source of info for many ;o) and those are the sale prices. If you do not live nearby, they will ship for $8.99. I believe the sale runs through Sunday, checkout their blog for details.


Spotlight CC Grand $32.50
MaryJane CC Grand $35.00
Abigail Grand $50.00
Finale Grand $50.00
Tangerine Classic $30.00
Katie Classic $50.00
Marisa Classic $50.00
Studio Classic $50.00
Lucy Classic $17.50
Metro Classic $37.50
Zoe Mini $25.00
Abigail Classic $42.50
Calvin Mini $37.50

Merry Christmas to Me!

A picture is so worth a thousand words for all you Quickutz addicts out there!?! Need I say more?! Ruban Rouge in Palm Harbor, FL is having a 75% off sale! TOTALLY UNHEARD OF SALE! On all their in-stock Quickutz fonts and shapes (except the september releases)! Call the store now before they are gone! They charged me $8.99 shipping, but I had my package in just two days! Dont worry hubby, this is my Christmas present from Granny! I cannot thank you enough Granny, but you must stop shopping now... although i know you secretly wanted these too ;o) I love you!

Granny's Kitchen

Not a recent scrap...just one I forgot to photo ;o) I love these pics of when Hailey got her beloved kitchen from Granny that Cmas!

QK: Katie Classic, REV Tabs
PP: Basic Grey
CS: CTMH Baby Pink, Cranberry, Olive

Dance

This was H's first dance class with Grandma! The colors really didn't photo well, looks much better in person! All supplies I picked up at my LSS closing sale, including the nesting hearts!

QK: Nesting Hearts
CS: CTMH Baby Pink, Blush, Plum Mist
Embellies: CTMH Dimensional Elements Monograms
Ribbon and Ribbons I picked up at Scrapbook Market on a recent visit.

Forever Family

This is one of those layouts that I started completely lost on what to do! Then I just started cutting and painting and voila! Paper pieces were literally flying as I tossed them over my shoulder! ;o)

QK: Spicy Chicken Grand, Lemonade Skinni Mini CC, Nesting Ovals
CS: CTMH Cranberry, Garden Green, White Daisy
Ribbon: CTMH Cranberry, Garden Green, White Daisy Grosgrain
Embellies: CTMH Just Blooms, Bigger Brads, Craft Buttons

Go Fish

This layout went together in less than 30 minutes!!! But, it took me another hour to labor over the journaling, kind of an important one to me! ;o) And the paper was a total fluke, picked it up awhile back at another store closing sale for 20 cents!
Both sides are different PageMaps sketches.
PP: Scenic Route Brighton Snowdrift
CS: CTMH Tulip & Baby Pink
Quickutz: Classic Bright font, rev tabs, and my new 12" scallop border die ( using my new 12" plate for the revolution, thanks Granny!!! I am loving it!)
Embellies: CTMH Baby Pink and White Grosgrain Ribbon and Buttons, Heavenly Blue buttons, and Cranberry ink around the edges.

Busy organizing today...

my new (to me) scrapbook cabinet. ;o)

Christmas 2006

What do ya'll think of the new way I have been photographing my layouts? I kinda like it, but when I look back, my eye get less distracted away from the layout when there isn't any backdrop? I don't know!


I usually don't do many black & whites, but once the layout was ready for the pics the layout no longer looked good with the color pics... it screamed for b&w's! Surprisingly, I had good ink in my photo printer so I could get the pics on here before I forgot what this layout was for! Just a few snapshots of Cmas 2006! I am trying sooo hard to get caught up to at least 2007 before the 2008 holidays strike!


PP: Prima Romantica Collection
CS: CTMH Textured Black & Olive
Quickutz: Paige Mini
Other: CTMH Black Ribbon Rounds

Curious Christmas

PP: Prima Romantica Collection
CS: CTMH Vineyard Berry & Olive
Quickutz: Stardust Grand, Flower
Embellishments: CTMH Craft Buttons (Clear & NEI)
Other: RicRac I picked up on my travels ;o)

Home is where the heart Is

I am trying a new way to photo my layouts to see if they come out a little truer color, we'll see! This is one of a few quick scrapbook layouts to try and get caught up on all those dreaded Christmas layouts! ;o)

PP: Prima Romantica Collection
CS: CTMH Tulip & Barn Red
Quickutz: Flourish
Embellisments: CTMH Just Blooms Leaves, Dimensional Elements Solo H,O,M,E.

Hunting Easter

One last layout for the night, probably the last one for awhile! I really need to get back to life as usual! ;o) I took a break from catching up on old layouts and did a quick one from this year to keep my creativity fresh! This one was actually really quick, less than an hour including Quickutz, journaling, looking up the date and all! (For me that is record time!) And really the glittery paper didn't need any more embellishment than that!


PP: Best Creation Inc. (Egg Stripes and Green Bunny)
CS: CTMH Bubblegum & Textured White Daisy
Quickutz: 12" Scallop Border, Bright Classic Font
Ribbon: CTMH NEI and Blush Ribbon Rounds

Finally done with 2005!

Oooh, I am so excited...this is my last layout for 2005. I have a thing about birthday and christmas layouts, I really don't like doing them! My mom is just the opposite, she could do them all day long. I have tried to talk her into doing all my birthday and cmas layouts, but she won't go for it ;o)


I went through a couple of months back and printed contact sheets of all my pictures to date at that point, then planned and printed all that I thought I might want to scrapbook. Well, I actually scrapbooked everything that I printed for 2005! All I have left for 2006 is Christmas! Of course, that will probably end up being more than one layout, but that is still really cool!



This layout was sooo much fun to do. I got it all sketched out last night and then this morning I quickly cut all the paper... the slooow part was doing all those Quickutz hearts! It looks so cool though because I used different depth pop dots so there are so many layers. I even figured out a way to pop up those hollow hearts. I punched out the Quickutz stamping foam using the same die and that way the foam and the die were the exact same size. I really like the way it turned out!


PP: BoBunny Holiday Cheer: Swirly Whirly, Plaid, Gumdrops
CS: CTMH Cranberry, Crystal Blue, Textured White Daisy
Quickutz: Chocolate Mini 4x8 Font, Hearts: QRS0003, QRS0047, A-RS0001, A-SS0001, A-RS0010, Stamping Foam

***UPDATE***

I just realized that these pictures posted weird! This layout does not have a blue tint to it! I really need to work on those manual color adjustments! ;o)

Family 2005

This layout really did not want to photo well, so I had to shoot on manual with no flash and manually adjust stuff...needless to say it is all weird and obviously looks a ton better in person! I think this is one of the two of my last stray layouts that I had for 2005 and that is it! 2005 is completely done! Then all I have left for 2006 is Christmas! And I really feel like I have been keeping up otherwise. Especially with all this time I am getting at Grannys to sneak away and scrap!

This is some paper I picked up yesterday at The Scrapbook Shoppe. It is from an up & coming Kaiser Crafts, from Australia. This is really nice cardstock thickness, double-sided patterned paper, and there were multiple designs in this line. Granny picked this one out for me, good job Granny! I used that little trick on this layout of twisting my spiral clips to look like vines. Kinda cool and fun little accent.


PP: Kaiser Scrapbook's Deck the Halls: Mistletoe, Ivy, Holly
CS: CTMH New England Ivy
Embellisments: CTMH Just Blooms, Leaves, Buttons, Spiral Clips, Dimensional Elements Monograms. And more machine stitching!

Splash Zone

I am on such a good scrapbooking groove right now... so I am majorly taking advantage of it! Visiting Granny is awesome, for sooo many reasons that aren't so superficial, but I have to admit that I love it that Hailey can run off with Papa or Aunt Amy to play trains, swim in the pool, go to the beach, and totally be spoiled while I hideout and scrapbook with Granny in her AMAZING scrapbook room. I even got my own table this time, we finally remembered that we had an extra folding table that I could smoosh over in the corner so I get my own table to spread out on. At the same time, I can sneak over to Granny's dedicated sewing station, die-cut station, stamping station, we even have a tv and radio (and of course my laptop!) I am going to have a hard time going home! I am trying to talk her into a girls weekend... don't book your flight just yet though! ;o) She doesn't share well! (j/k granny, you know I love you!) Anywhoo, this is my latest layout for the week... another for the Cruise album of our first day at sea. I am already working on the next layout while the pictures load of this layout, I'm not wasting any time. Except for that trip to my two favorite scrapbook stores today! I really behaved and didn't buy anything that I didn't have pics for! And I promised myself that I wouldn't print any more pics until these 9 layouts are all done! We'll see! ;o) Happy Scrapping this week!


















PP: Reminisce Aloha (words) and Orlando (stripe - that I added some pink cs strips to make it match a bit better)
CS: CTMH Dutch Blue and Bubblegum
Quickutz: Spicy Chicken, Lemonade, Hibiscus
Embellisments: CTMH Summer Medley Buttons, Just Blooms (leaves on the hibiscus), Stickles Icicle, and I borrowed Granny's Fiskars Threading Water punch to make the scalloped border. I think these little flowers are my favorite part, totally Granny's idea!

Caution: Kids at Play

I am loving Moms new Accucut Machine! These big arrows were so much fun for pics of the kids at the park. And I love being able to cut the arrows and the font out in chipboard first and then again in the cardstock... no tracing or exacto knife! I don't have much to say tonight, I am in too much of a groove, so I am quickly back to scrapping!

Just Plane Cute!

I cannot believe how long it has taken me to get one of these pre-made scrapbook layouts from SBFO but I couldn't have found a better layout for these pictures! And it sooo does not do the premade pages justice, it looks a million times better in person! I actually spotted the layout from across the room and had to have it! The best part is, it only took me 5 minutes to finish this scrapbook layout, including writing the check! ;o) You will never know the quality and details to one of her layouts, until you hold it in your hot little hands! I will add my journaling to the library plate as soon as I get home and look up the dates and details. If are looking for quality premade scrapbook pages look no further than her etsy shop!

Tampa

This is the first side of my layout of leaving the Port of Tampa on our cruise last winter. This side, I am pretty sure is a lift of a PageMaps, but can't remember if it was the book or the site, I just know that I remember seeing the sketch before and was re-creating from memory... like I say about no real original ideas ;o) This is some more paper I got from my last trip to Scrapbook Market... I am really gonna miss them! I also got to use my new QK Moxie Classic, I am loving that font and sooo happy I have both sizes! Ooooh and those are two of the new CTMH colors, Tulip is the reddish one and Juniper is the greenish one, the verdict is still out though... they are a weird shade of colors CTMH has or had and retired?! The other side of this layout is just blank mats right now, I gotta get some prints ordered of the Tampa skyline, Skyway Bridge, and sunset as we were cruising out of port.

Retreat 2005

This is layout I got done last night with Hailey's help! Really easy to put together and I got to use my new 4x4 vine that I got at the sale (she loves using my revolution). The scallop paper I picked up at Griffins on my last trip there.

I behaved!

I actually behaved myself! I took my picture box and found paper and embellies for 3 layouts! I didn't buy anything that I didn't have a plan for! They were out of the Dragonfly font ;o( but they did have Chocolate marked down to $27.99 and the finally had the 4x4 vine in stock (I have been hunting that one for awhile!) Other than that, I found a few things to decorate the front of my Cmas Album and a few small packs of buttons in colors that I don't have (I love buttons!). Overall it wasn't all that, just 20%, but I think people were stocking up knowing that they wouldn't have the option later. I also am very happy to report though, that they have plans of staying open until November 7th!, they said unless they sell out before then...from the looks of today that is a good possibility. I stood in line for 3 hours! No joke, I was actually in the store a total of 4.5 hours... I kept asking Hailey if she wanted to leave and she would reply "No mommy, keep looking" in the sweetest voice because she was having a blast in the kids area and didn't want to come home and unpack more boxes ;o) I have plans to get some more pics printed and go back next week after things settle down. I also found out that we have a pretty decent JoAnns, just two doors down from Scrapbook Market! The scrapbook section there is at least twice what it was in Gville! Yeah!

Even better news, I came home and got a layout done! I will try to post after the munchkin goes to bed! And when we got home, Hailey heard the kids next door and ran outside to play. She and Cade ended up running all around, in and out of our two houses, eating dinner over there, and totally having a blast! Cade it just the sweetest thing! And his older sister Sydney is so polite! I love this neighborhood! ;o) All the while, I got the kitchen completely unpacked and all the dishes and food put away! Plus, Hailey's bathroom and bedroom, I even took pics, just for you Granny!

I need friends!

I am seriously in need of some scrappin' friends in Tallahassee!!! I HAVE to do something that does not involve boxes!?!?! I did clean off the dining table and only have one box left to empty in the kitchen, but I miss my scrappin buddies and my old scrappin room... both gave me so much inspiration and got my creative juices flowing when I was down & out! To top it all off, I found out that Scrapbook Market is closing! Of course, right after I move here (after being open 9 years!) they are closing! I haven't even gotten to go there since we moved here, I guess sort of saving up for one major crop-fest one of these Friday nights, that's not gonna happen now! They are having a big sale that starts tomorrow morning, so I guess I will have to shop blindly... which I hate doing because you end up with a huge stash of CRAP! Hopefully they will have some good deals on the Quickutz fonts I have been eyeing! ;o) And since Granny surprised me with a 12" platform, I have just gotta have some new border dies now, don't I?



On a positve note, we did take Sunday off and went to Wakulla Springs. We took a boat ride down the river and saw a bunch of turtles, about 9 alligators, and a manatee! Growing up on a river much like this is was sort of weird to get excited about animals that I saw practically every day... but I think that is what excited me about it, it reminded me of being at MeeMaw's when I was a little girl! Funny enough, what I thought was the coolest was the mullet jumping!?! And yes, Granny that is an alligator sunbathing right on the shore in the same water we were swimming in upstream! And to top it all off, once we got back to the shore and were swimming Hailey and Daddy decided to check out the diving platform and Hailey proceeded to jump right off (with no hesitation) the platform that was seriously 6 feet high!!! Of course I don't have a picture! But I am sure it won't be the last time! ;o)

Settling In Nicely

We made it! I actually got here late Sunday night, cleaned most of Monday (who knew a vacant house could be so dirty!), the movers got in late Monday night (slept on the floor, poor guys), and now I am supervising unloading bright and early this morning! I like this job, sit at the front door, play on the computer and point! The only part of my job I am having a problem with is staying out of the way ;o) Once I find the boxes labeled "Office" I will find my card reader and upload the pics I took last night of Hailey swimming in my new garden tub!

Work Party this Sunday!

So, I am officially begging and pleading for help finishing all the painting! I am not a bad painter, I am just agonizingly S-L-O-W!!! And it is mostly all brush work, cutting in around the edges and painting all the doors! So, if you have a bit of time to spare on Sunday... drop me an email so I know how many mouths to feed ;o)

PS: I am also in need of a good/affordable painter for the exterior!?! I will not attempt that one on my own!

Date Night

This layout really didn't'want to photo well. As you can tell my the different sides of the layout. This was from a date night with the girls and our men, almost 3 years ago. I actually need to figure out what the exact date was so I can add it into that blank spot on my journaling. I managed to not use any sketches on this one, all me! ;o)

PP: Little Yellow Bicycle (from my latest visit to Tally) Delightful Collection
CS: Taffy, Key Lime, Amethyst
Quickutz: Daisy, Flourishes, Blossom, Maddie Anne
Ribbon: CTMH Organdy

Goodbye Gainesville

So, I guess I should officially announce that we are moving to Tallahassee. I have been putting it off as long as I could, blaming it on the need to finish the house. Christopher has accepted a position as an Associate Director at the Association for Institutional Research. He has actually already been working up there a couple of weeks and coming home on the weekends to finish up the loose ends on the house. Yesterday, we officially signed a lease for a new home in Tally, you can see pics in the slide show ---> if you are interested. We have decided to rent while we get to know Tally a little better and plan on building once we find the right piece of property... we get to try out other side of rental life ;o). So far (we have visited many times) we all seem to like Tally very much (other than those Seminoles!) And Hailey is quite excited for a number of reasons. We spent most of the day yesterday (immediately after signing!) painting her new room "Lightly Lilac", a very nice purple that she selected herself. And she has already made friends with about 10 neighborhood kids (no kidding at least 10!), including Cade (he is also 4) who lives next door. And Cade attends VPK, so naturally Hailey is so excited about going too! She has already learned everyones names, how old they are, where they live, and what their outfit looked like yesterday! So, if you are in the area...feel free to drop on over!

So with this bittersweet feeling in my heart, after 8 wonderful years here, I have to say...
Goodbye Gainesville.

Cutest Punkin' in the Patch