Birthday Girls - A SMASH Journal Page

I used to share a lot about paper crafts in this space, because I used to do a lot of scrapbooking and card making: I used to be on a design team and back when I first started this blog, I designed and shared a new greeting card every week. But over the years, the amount of paper crafts I do has decreased dramatically, and as I type this right now, I can not remember the last time I made a scrapbook layout or a card.

For a while I felt quite sad that I was not scrapbooking and card making as much, but the truth is simply that it does not fit so well in my life anymore at the same level and intensity as it used to. And that is okay. I've come to believe that hobbies ebb and flow over our lives; they are something that we can be intense about for a while and then they can become less front and center as our lives change and/or as we go off to explore and learn something else, not disappearing entirely, but simmering in the background for when we come back to them. That is where paper crafting is for me right now. I do not have the time to scrapbook every little moment of my life like I used to, and again, that is okay. What I am doing is documenting our family holidays - like I did with our Eastern Canada road trip - and also, when the mood strikes, adding a few pages to my SMASH journal. I'm basically doing what I can, at a level that feels right for me, and I am enjoying it.

My latest SMASH journal page came together rather effortlessly using photos of my girls from their last birthdays. I enjoyed layering the paper and the embellishments - my favorite thing to do with paper - and documenting a beautiful moment in time. Listening to a little Jason Aldean while I worked was also fun!

So here's to paper crafts, doing what works, layering pretty papers, SMASH journals, ebbs and flows, country music, and enjoying it all!

Have a wonderful day, friends!

Project Life: Eastern Canada

You may remember that I was working on a Project Life album to chronicle our road trip to Eastern Canada last summer? Or you may not remember this at all because I made a career out of finishing this album....

But it is finally done. I finished up the last bits two days before the one year anniversary of us leaving for our road trip; somewhere along the way finishing before a year was up became my goal, and I was happy to just sneak in under the wire.

My album is fairly large, each event or day trip taking up a double page spread, with some smaller half page inserts stuck in so I could include even more photos. We took so many incredible pictures on the trip that culling and selecting those to include in the album was an almost impossible task.

I spent a great deal of time journaling our travels. I did not only want to capture what we did and where we went, but to describe how the days felt, our beautiful surroundings, observations we made, conversations we had, and all the other small and special details; I wanted to really tell our story as we traveled east and explored the coast.  

And where it worked, I did some fun embellishing.....

I am incredibly happy with my album, how when I look through it all the memories come rushing back and I feel as if I am right back there. We had an incredible vacation and I will forever treasure this book of memories.

P.S. You can read about our travels here and here. 

Layout: The First Day of School

I had quite a time thinking of a title for today's post. In the past I have always named my scrapbook layout posts the same as the title of my page, but lately I have not been including a large, prominent title on my designs, which has left me at a bit of a loss when it comes to blog post titles. Not really a problem, it just brings to light the way my style has evolved...

And speaking of style, this layout is definitely a little different from my usual. Sure it is clean and simple, with the focus being on the photo, but the placement of the photo and journaling is completely different from what I normally do.

"Everything centered in the middle of the page" is my usual approach, but here things are split apart and in the corners. I created this layout based on a sketch from The Memory Nest, and to be honest, the finished design sat on my table for a week while I got okay with how it looked; being out of my comfort zone, there were moments when I really hated this layout and was so tempted to center everything as usual.

But I didn't and in the end I am glad...it is nice to have a completely different layout to add to my 2015 album.

And how is the 2015 album coming, you ask? Well....the plan now is to go through my pictures (which are well organized on the computer, thank goodness), print out the ones I want to scrap, and then slowly chip away at it. Plus I also need to do the journaling in my Project Life: Eastern Canada album so there is no shortage of things to do in the scrapbooking department...stay tuned.

Back to Scrapbooking

After quite a long break (so long that my tool pouch was a little dusty) I've created a scrapbook layout.

I am tragically behind on my 2015 album. It is so hard to keep up with it, do you find? I have been thinking quite a bit about how I am going to document our stories moving forward. When the girls were babies and I was at home with them, I made so many layouts - the albums from those years are quite literally bursting at the seams - but now I am back at work full time and it is truly impossible for me to keep up that level of creating. I still want to scrapbook, but how much, and when? It is a bit of a struggle for sure....

One thing that does help is having my pictures and papers on hand. The paper I used on this layout is from the Anything Goes line by Echo Park. I also used the coordinating embellishment pack which makes putting a layout together so easy.

Because this was my first layout in quite some time, I turned to The Memory Nest for some inspiration. Nothing like a clean and simple sketch to get the creative juices flowing.

 

I look forward to showing you some more layouts soon as I chip away at my 2015 album; maybe it will have fewer layouts in it than there would have been in the past, but fewer layouts is better than none at all, am I right? Accepting that I can only do so much is key, I think, in keeping the joy in my scrapbooking.

I'm linking up with Make it Monday at The Memory Nest.

Paper Toys

My girls have toys, not tons of toys, but they have toys: Lego, dolls, puzzles, dishes, play food, dress up clothes...

But given the opportunity, left to their own devices as to how to fill an afternoon, they will always turn to crafting, specifically making paper toys.

With meticulous detail they draw girls and cut them out. They then draw various outfits for their girls: skirts, dresses, purses, shoes, coats...all incredibly detailed, carefully colored, and cut out.

Claire's Creations

 Bridget's Creations

They play with these creations for hours, making more accessories as needed: if their girls are on an adventure and need a dragon to escape an evil fairy, a dragon is drawn, colored, cut out, and added to the paper toy world. 

So many paper toys exist in our house, that I would not be surprised if they outnumber the actual toys.

It is world of imagination and creation inhabited by my two happy little girls.

It was always my hope that my girls would be creative and have active imaginations; I think we are good.  

For a Sweet Little Girl

My sister had a baby girl on February 18th - a healthy, adorable, chubby, precious, baby girl. Her name is Thea Rose.

To welcome little Thea into the world, I made this card:

There is nothing sweeter than a baby girl.

 I'm joining in the Winter Project Link Party at Thistlebear.

You and Me

I've been very busy getting ready for the holidays - meal planning, shopping, decorating - and I needed a little break from all of that. So I made myself a cup of tea and sat down for some much needed scrapbooking time. The latest sketch challenge over at The Memory Nest provided me with some inspiration....

and I created this layout using pictures of Steve and I that were taken on our twelfth wedding anniversary.

Twelve years! Really? Where does the time go???

The paper I used for this layout is old (Granola by Basic Grey), found in the depths of my paper bin, but perfect for these pictures. All of the embellishments are also from my stash; it has been quite some time since I have bought any scrapbooking supplies as I have been enjoying working with what I have on hand.

As usual, the other members of the Design Team have created some beautiful layouts and cards based on this sketch - be sure to check out their work.

This is my last contribution as a member of The Memory Nest Design Team. I want to thank Leslie for the opportunity to be a part of this incredibly talented group. I have learned a lot, created a lot and have had a lot of fun.

Playing in the Snow

What better way to start off the week than with a sketch challenge courtesy of The Memory Nest. I really love these challenges; they keep me scrapping and are an incredible source of inspiration.

The layout that I created includes two favorite photos of my girls from an afternoon spent playing in the snow last winter. I first shared these photos with you as part of my 52 Week Project.

I have been meaning to create a layout with these photos for a while, but held off because I did not want to work with snow and winter themed papers in the summer; it seems more appropriate now as, let's be honest, the cold and the snow is coming.

The snowflake paper is from Bella Blvd. I also used textured cardstock to cut out some snowflakes and then attached them to my layout using adhesive dots to add a little dimension.

The other members of the Design Team have, as usual, created some beautiful layouts based on this sketch. And you are more than welcome to create as well - maybe using some of the pictures you took on Halloween - and link up your creations over at The Memory Nest.

A Happy Evening & Autumn Bunting

It was Saturday night. The girls were asleep, Steve was watching something comic book related on TV (?), and all my chores were done....so what did I do: I made myself a cup of tea, cued up the playlist on my phone, and settled down at my craft table for some much needed creative time.

It was glorious, refreshing. And at the end of the evening, I had made a beautiful autumn bunting:

Using papers and embellishments from the Happy Harvest Line by Doodlebug Designs, I worked away on my little crafty project while singing along to every song (out loud). Yes, I was in my happy place.

I picked three patterned papers from the line and used them to cover cardboard triangles.

I love arranging little clusters of embellishments, which I did on my bunting pieces.

All in all, a very happy evening.....and a beautiful autumn bunting.

Bunting is such a happy thing, isn't it? I've made several over the years - some sewn, some crocheted, some paper - and they always make be very happy. 

40 Years

My parents recently celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary.

What an incredible milestone:amazing and inspiring. 

They were in Europe for the last month on a well deserved celebratory trip, and when we picked them up at the airport on Sunday, I gave them this card:

It is very similar to a card I made to celebrate my grandparents 60th anniversary a few years ago. I loved the simplicity of that card, how it highlighted the years spent together, so I used the same design here, with a few little tweaks.

Congratulations Mom and Dad on your 40 years together!

My Flowers

The challenges over at The Memory Nest just keep coming.

Here is this week's sketch:

And here is the layout that I created:

When I first saw this sketch I knew it was perfect for pictures of my flowers. It was a little challenging to find patterned papers that worked well with four very different pictures, but as always a quick glance through my Jillibean Soup collection and my page came together; Jillibean Soup to the rescue again.

I just had a quick look back in my archives and I created a very similar layout back in January.

Should you feel inspired, you can create with this sketch and link up over at The Memory Nest. And please take a moment to check out the work of the Design Team - such talent and an incredible source of inspiration.

The Scraptoberfest Challenge

Good Morning!

I hope you are in the mood for a challenge because today is the start of the Scraptoberfest Challenge. The Memory Nest has teamed up with three other great scrapbooking challenge sites to bring you the ultimate scrapbooking challenge and the chance to win multiple prizes!

This is how the challenge works:

Each blog is hosting a challenge for a chance to win a prize.

Now here’s the fun, extra-challenging part: If you create a layout, combining all four challenges together, and link it up to each participating blog, you will be eligible for a chance to win the Scraptoberfest BONUS prize!

Here are the challenges:

• Scrap Our Stash: Create a layout using at least two different types of Washi Tape.
• Challenge YOUrself: Create a layout that includes YOU in the photo.
• My Scraps & More: Color Challenge

• The Memory Nest: Sketch Challenge

Rules for all challenges:

• Your layout must be new as of October 2, 2015. No back linking
• Layouts only, No Cards
• No Digital Layouts
• Participants are allowed to complete or combine one or more of the challenges, but to be entered into the BONUS prize drawing, they must combine all four challenges.
• For each challenge you complete, you MUST upload to the blog that hosted the challenge to be eligible for that sites' prize drawing. 
• All entries due October 31, 2015

Bonus Prize: The Bonus Prize will be a $40 gift card generously provided by all four challenge sites. The winner of the Bonus Prize will have two options for their gift card:

• $40 gift card to shop with one of our sponsors…winners choice  ~OR~
• Two $20 gift cards to shop with any two of our sponsors…winners choice

This is such a fun opportunity to create a beautiful layout, plus have the chance to win some amazing prizes.

I had a lot of fun creating this layout combining all four challenges:

I invite you to join in on this challenge, as little or as much as you would like. Challenge yourself creatively...and of course share your creations.

Happy Scrapbooking!

I Thought of You Today & Smiled

Hello Friends!

It has been a while, but I am back. We spent the last weeks of the summer on an incredible family holiday (more to come on that, I need to sort through almost 2000 pictures) and then hit the ground running on our return home with the start of school. Last week was a busy one, but I feel like I have my feet under me and my ducks in a row as we head into the autumn and the return of routine.

Today I am just popping in to share with you a card I made for the latest installment of Make it Monday over at The Memory Nest.

Here is the sketch - another clean and simple one, my favorite:

And this is the card that I made:

More great design work based on this sketch can be seen over at The Memory Nest.

I'll be back soon to share stories from our holiday and some of the crafty things I have been working on. Talk soon.

Happiness Looks Like This

There is an absolutely amazing sketch challenge over at The Memory Nest today; I love it.

What appeals to me most about this sketch is that it just screams for a lot of different patterned papers and being the paper lover that I am, I was so excited to work with it.

I used paper and embellishments from the Capture Life line by Echo Park for my page. I bought this paper at my favorite local scrapbook store, which unfortunately just closed up. So sad. On the plus side, I got this paper on sale...

I love the punched circles - a great way to add lots of pattern to the page.

While there was no spot for it on the sketch, I added some journaling to my page. I find that as I look back through my albums, which I have been doing a lot more of lately, that I love to read the stories I wrote, the details, the words....to me that is where the memories are truly captured.

As always, you can get inspired and link up your own creations over at The Memory Nest.

(P.S. I have never been so grateful for a creative outlet as I was last week. We had some major construction work done in our basement which meant that I had to pack up all my scrapbooking supplies to keep them protected, and once the workers left, I spent countless hours cleaning. It was quite the job...but my house has never been so dust-free. Sitting down to work on this layout was just the relaxation that I needed....thank goodness for scrapbooking, or any craft for that matter, the best form of mediation/therapy/relaxation that there is.)

Today this Happened.....

Good Morning!

I can not believe that it is August already? Why does the summer have to go by so fast?

Today is a holiday in my neck of the woods (love long weekends) and it is also time for another sketch challenge over at The Memory Nest - in other words, a pretty awesome day.

Here is the latest sketch:

And here is the layout that I created:

You may recognize this photo of my girls heading off to the park by themselves for the first time from my 52 Week Project. This was such a monumental moment for them, and for me, that I needed to document it in my scrapbook.

My favorite thing about this layout is all the little bits and bobs that are layered under the photo and across the page....so fun.

I used paper from the Summer Lovin' line by Carta Bella for this layout.

The other ladies on the Design Team have created some awesome projects based on this sketch if you are looking for some more inspiration.

Have a wonderful day.....I'm off to do some crafting......

How I Put My Scrapbook Albums Together

I was talking to a friend of mine a few months ago and she mentioned that while she loves to see all my layouts, she was curious how I put my albums together. So this post is about that; how I collect all my pages into a neat and tidy album that my family can sit on the couch and look at.

I do a family album every year. The only additional album I will do is a travel one if we have gone on a big trip.

I have been buying the same style albums from Michaels for the past several years. I do this so I can buy the corresponding package of refill pages in bulk (which is cheaper) and just keep using them year after year when I put my albums together. Everything works together so there is no waste or fuss.

I pick a different patterned album for each year. If I have created a lot of layouts in one year, I buy two of the same patterned albums for that year so that when the albums are on the shelf it is easy to see which ones belong together.

This is the album that I am using for my 2014 layouts:

I often have to buy longer posts (the cheapest ones are available in the hardware aisle at Home Depot) and use cardboard spacers (I make my own by cutting scrap cardboard to size), so that when the album is all together  the pages are lying flat. When all is said and done, I want my album to be the same height at the spine as at the open edge.

To begin, I put all my pages in order by date and slide them into page protectors. I then add a page, followed by a cardboard spacer or two (as needed) onto the posts (the longer posts are in the above photo) until all the pages are in the album. If I have more than one album for the year, I simply divide the pages between the albums.

Once I close my completed album, I check to make sure it is the same size at the spine as at the outer edge, and that all the pages are lying flat.

I also label the inside cover of my albums with the year and the volume (if there is more than one album for that year)

This is the shelf where I store my albums.

Organized. Colorful. Pretty. But full.

Finding a storage spot for my future albums is something I am going to have to work on.

In the meantime, I have my 2014 album completed and ready to show. Each and every time I browse through one of my scrapbook albums, I fall in love with this hobby all over again; is there anything better than recording stories and memories.