My Paper Playground by Lisa Westphal

Project Life 2012 Week 1

2012-02-14T18:13:00.000-08:00

I'm finally making it around to sharing pics of this year's Project Life layouts. I am still trying to get my title/opening page just right...but feel I'm off to an o.k. start :)

I'm a Monday-Sunday Project Lifer...but as so many others did...I've gone Sunday-Sunday this week in order to snag January 1st in this spread.

Besides the stamped dates like I did last year, I'm going to include 'Week 1' etc. I think that it will help me see and appreciate just how much I have accomplished as the week numbers increase.

Here's the left side. Lots of photos this week. I snapped a shot of the TV as the clock struck midnight {I'll confess...It was the east coast midnight...Not our west coast midnight-lol!}. Along with New Year's came resolution time...so I also got pics of my walks and health food shopping. The one on the bottom is of the littles un-decorating the tree...everyone loves 'playing' with twinkling lights -right!? :) I really had to restrain myself from adding 'tags' and 'labels' to each of the photos. That's the way I usually roll...but wanted to let the photos kinda speak for themselves.

Still *LOVING* having a 'recap' journaling card. I just know that I'm going to love looking back at these and remebering the details of our everyday life. {Thanks Michelle Wooderson for that idea!}

Here's the right side. We've got pics of Saturday morning Starbuck's with Kyle before his Chemistry Academy, donuts for the littles, Natey smacking away at the typewriter keys, new shoes, breakfast out with the hubs, a blog update and our first adventure to the drive in movies!

I stamped the word 'FUN' onto the bottom corner of the drive in movie photo with white ink.

This week I chose to use a bunch of Crate Paper 'Farmhouse' papers and embellishments. I love this line...and have a secret stash hiding in my 'craft zone' for a later date :) he~he. I was going to chop off the edge of the paper where the product information is printed...but decided to keep it because the font and contrast against the other layer really appealed to me.

Here, I added an insert...I know, I know...week 1 and I'm already adding an insert. This is how I ended up with 2 albums last year. I said that I was going to 'cut down' a bit. BUT, I had such a fun date day with my hubby that I just had to include it. :) I used a Pink Paislee insert to include 17 photos and a journaling card. The cards have been trimmed down to 2x3 and the corners all rounded.

Here are the front and back shots of the insert. There are a lot of really random shots here. We did it as a prank on our oldest son. We texted the photos throughout the day, while he was as school, seeing if he could guess where we had gone! -lol!! Boy was he mad when he figured out we had gone to Disneyland! :)

This last one is what the insert page looks like between the spread. Love the little yellow butterfly..it is actually attached on top of the page protector.

So, that's it for now. I hope your PL pages are going great!! If you haven't started (sister)...get to it!! You won't be sorry :)

love, lisa

Project Life December 5 - 11

2012-01-27T06:26:00.000-08:00

Here's another 'Catch-Up' week on my 2011 Project Life. I'm STILL trying to figure out when and where to photograph these. The glare is insane. So... sorry in advance.

Products Used:

Project Life Page Protectors Design A	Jounaling Cards	Studio Calico Autumn Press	Kraft Stripe Washi	Jenni Bowlin Chipboard Stars	Studio Calico Blue Label Stickers
Studio Calico Asterisks	Glue Dots - Memory	American Crafts Precision Pens	Tim Holtz Tiny Attacher	My Mind's Eye Stamp Set	VersaMark
American Crafts Zing - Clear	October Afternoon Mini Market Stickers - Thrift Shop

InLinkz.com

Thanks for stopping in! Hope to see ya soon!

love, lisa

Project Life November 28 - December 4

2012-01-07T16:06:00.000-08:00

This morning started early for a Saturday. At 5 a.m. the alarm clock went off and it was time to get the Hubby up and out the door for work. At 7 a.m. my oldest and I hit the Starbucks for coffee and breakfast before dropping him off at the High School for a Chemistry study group. On my way home I grabbed donuts for the little ones so they wouldn't feel left out.
At home with my coffee, chocolate croissant, laundry started and 2 happy little donut eaters...I sat down in the craft zone to work on my Project Life Album. I'm still working on catching up on last year's...but I'm not too worried about it...I've been taking lots of notes and pictures as well as collecting 'stuff'. So, catching up hasn't been as bad as I thought it would be.
Here's what I did today:

So, it was a busy week {again} around here. A wind storm, the excitement of Christmas on its way, and Cody playing in the Southern California Junior All American Football Micro Division 2 Super Bowl Championship Game {that's a mouthfull!}....which he won 26-0!! :) The photo of him and the trophy is an 8 x 10 insert this week...the back {which I chose to keep to myself} shares more photos and stories of the team's efforts in getting this far. :)
I've gone on to start planning the next week's LO's...almost done with 2011 -yaaaay! But for now, I've gotta stop scrappin'. We are going to swing by the Hubby's work for a quick visit before heading over to the Drive-In Theater. It's a double feature and my peeps are super-excited! :)
Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

love, lisa

Project Life November 21-27

2012-01-03T13:47:00.000-08:00

Yep...I'm guilty of still catching up on last year's Project Life. But what can you do...that's life! he~he :) Here's a look at week #...I don't know...I've lost track :) It was November 21 - 27. :)

Looking back, this really was a busy week. The boys were out of school, we hung out with my nieces and nephew, hit the movies, had Thanksgiving, went to football practices, had get togethers with the kids' friends, a picnic in the park, shopped black Friday, went to the City tree lighting ceremony, and put up our own Christmas lights...whew!

So, glad that I've started adding 'recap' journaling cards to my LO's. I believe I first saw it on Michelle Wooderson's blog...and I love it! It helps me include moments that don't have a 'starring role' in the week's spread.

I had to include the story about Nathan and Daddy's early morning bike ride :)

I had two page inserts this week. The first (front and back) documents Thanksgiving. I slipped the pages into a 8.5 x 11 page protector, stitched around the perimeter, and trimmed off the excess.

And...the second insert...Yes, that's my son. :) He had a youth group 80's bowling party to go to. *LOVE* that the group is always dressing up...soooo much fun!

Getting ready to take pics of the following two weeks. But, that'll have to wait until after dishes, laundry, shopping, and school pick ups...assuming I can get outta this chair. I started walking (for exercise) again today....and boy, that hill by the high school is a doooozie!! :)

love, lisa

Last Minute Holiday Gift Idea

2011-12-22T11:44:00.000-08:00

Good morning! Happy Thursday :) Today is a low-key kinda day over here at the Westphal household. We were all able to sleep in, get up at our leisure, find Alex (our Elf on the Shelf...that I call 'Shelf on the Elf' 99% of the time -lol!), had a hot breakfast complete with coffee {sigh} and had some free time.

I couldn't find a coaster to place my coffee mug on and remembered this pin on Pinterest. I grabbed 3 colors of wool felt, some puffy quilty stuff, my Big Shot, and a set of Nestabilities dies. I simply ran the felt & puffy stuff through the die cut machine with the chosen die, sandwiched everything together, and messy-stitched it all together with natural colored thread with Mr. Janome.

Coaters in record time!! I still have to pop out the tiny circles you can see on each scallop...{I snapped the shot before doing that...I guess I was too excited about making this set in about 10 minutes flat!} :) These would make a fast, inexpensive 'last minute holiday gift' for just about anyone. Definitely give it a try!

Thanks for stopping in... :) I'm off to work on my Project Life and December Daily albums. I hope you have a wonderful day too! :)

love, lisa

'Tis The Season

2011-12-20T08:51:00.000-08:00

Wow! December has really flown by. The kids are on break...currently lounging in the living room watching a Christmas movie. The Hubs is working hard as usual. I'm cleaning, wrapping and crafting like a crazy woman. Etsy & other crafty orders are all out the door. Christmas cards well...honestly, they are sitting on the dinner table. Christmas with the Westphal family has come and gone...we celebrated with them the 17th. Loved seeing and catching up with everyone there...and I'm still trying to warm up from taking a walk in flip-flops and a 3/4 sleeve cardigan that cold, misting evening! :) Christmas Cookie Extravaganza (I just came up with that name) was yesterday...LOVED seeing my Grandma, Aunts, Cousin, Uncle, nieces and nephew. Definitely need to see them all more in the upcoming year.

I'm working hard on my December Daily, and am getting caught up on my Project Life albums. These are my favorite projects! This is my 4th year doing the December Daily album (If you haven't heard of it...visit Ali Edwards blog here). Looking back at each holiday season is amazing. As for Project Life...I HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT!! Whether you do week by week, or month by month (as I've recommended for my rebellious sister-hehehe!)...you have to do this!!! It is absolutely crazy-good. :)
That's it for now...I'm off to the dog groomers (wish me luck...it's the beast's turn today) and then the cemetary to decorate my sweet baby Chase's plot. I hope that you are having a wonderful holiday season!

God Bless
love, lisa

Crunch Time

2011-11-14T12:17:00.000-08:00

These pics of my lil' Nathan were snapped up one afternoon while the big boys were at school (last year). I had been watching him all morning, thinking about how cute I thought he was and how much I was going to miss having him with me all day went he started kindergarten. I was in love with his actions, sayings, how he dressed himself (including his multiple costume changes) and most of all...how he liked to 'snoogle' his mama. I nearly peed myself when I went to take these photos and his big grin revealed a set of vampire teeth! Never a dull moment, I tell ya! :)

This paper line is Studio Calico's Elementary collection. I scored a heaping pile of it last month during the last call sale they enticed me with. I simply couldn't resist! :)

Above, Jenni Bowlin chipboard star and Studio Calico 'C'. . .you know me and stars!

I stamped an alphabe along the left side of the page. When I got to the 'n' I changed the ink color, added stars and the number '4' for 'N'athan's age.

I'm loving chomping into a section of paper...you know just randomly finding a good spot..and doing it! :) {Love that lil clock sticker too...reminds me of the one our dog Charlie chewed up} :)

This paper is so darn cute..I added a few {more} stars to it...

More layers, stitching and Cosmo Cricket tiny text stickers {{{I LOVE THESE...can't wait to use the Chistmas ones I've been hoarding!!}}

I am so glad that I finally scrapped this day. Our days together were always so special. Our time. I was right to be so sad about the changes starting school would bring. It's a big bummer not having my little buddy here with me. But...I know it's for the best.

love, lisa

etsy shop update...

2011-11-12T13:03:00.000-08:00

I've begun adding holiday items to my etsy shop. I'd love for you to stop in, check it out, and help me spread the news! :)
New items being added all weekend! Be sure to check out my new 'Gift Card Holders', 'Wrapping Garland' and '12 Days of Christmas Postcards'. Many fun, unique, heartwarming items being uploaded for your shopping pleasure! -he-he- :)

Hope to see you there!

love, lisa

Creative Scrappers #176

2011-10-01T22:41:00.000-07:00

A new sketch has been revealed over at Creative Scrappers today. :) Here's the sketch and what I've created with it.

Most of the product is from my Studio Calico kit stash. I just *LOVE* how the 'piglet' mist turned out on the top of the page. It was so easy to use the Sassafras number stickers as a mask and simply peel it away after I had misted. The color is so dang cute in person!! <3

Lots of layers, raised heart and photos...

Punched and raised shapes and textures...

Some typing from my Wards Signature typewriter found at an estate sale last year...

I just love this layout....It came together so effortlessly. It is really special to me. Thanks for stopping by! We are off the Disneyland to celebreate 2 of my boys' birthdays :) Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

love, lisa

Sneak Creative Scrappers Reveal

2011-09-29T08:32:00.001-07:00

This Sunday is the next sketch reveal at Creative Scrappers. I just *LOVE* how my layout turned out...and I am honestly not 100% comfortable saying that out loud. :) Swing back over on Sunday to see the whole thing! :)

See ya soon!

love, lisa

Creative Team Call @ Creative Scrappers

2011-09-28T12:13:00.000-07:00

If you looooove sketches and are interested in applying for a design team.....I've got quite the call for you!!! Creative Scrappers is currently looking for a new batch of designers for their creative team. I have been truly blessed and honored to have served on the current team. The sketches are AWESOME and Kristine is warm and welcoming. It's a Win-Win team I tell ya!! :)
Check out this link: http://creativescrappers.blogspot.com/2011/09/creative-opportunity.html

Good Luck!!

love, lisa

Project Life | September 12-18

2011-09-23T11:15:00.000-07:00

Here are my Project Life pages for the week of September 12-18. I haven't posted many of my previous weeks because I thought you readers out there in blog-land might not find them too interesting. Well, I'm going to stop hoarding them, and start posting them. Mainly becasue {I have to confess} I love this project, and I love surfing the web to check out other people's PL pages.

With the upcoming release of new Becky Higgins Project Life products, I think it's a great time to spread the news about how AMAZING this project truly is...and encourage you to participate.

I...

Love the simplicity

Love the page inserts

Love the journaling cards

Love that you can make it your way

Love that there are lots of places to tuck in photos and scraps of everyday life

It is amazing...It is fun..It is rewarding...you won't be sorry.

So here is the full spread {sorry about the glare}. This week I also included two additional pages/inserts {you will see them a little farther down}.

{click to enlarge}

Below, I have a little intro card with the dates, a kraft tag stamp with Ali Edwards stamps, an Ortho 'report card' for Kyle, and my favorite part...the 'bean' conversation between Nathan, Brett and I. I also wanted to document Cody and Nathan's first time walking to school without me, the {temporary} change in weather, and a sick day for one.

*LOVE* this conversation:

The second page has photos from Riverside National Cemetery where my Mom is burried {it was her birthday}, instagram shots of the aircraft flying over the cemetery {March AFB is next door}, a quick story about our birthday celebration, a Starbucks Gift Card -which btw has the perfect little 'family tree' on it..totally symbolic of spending the day with my Dad & Sister at the grave site {I can't stop collecting those gift cards!}, a puched tag, and everyday photos of backyard sword fights - a little one falling asleep with a Tootsie Pop in his mouth {can you spell c-a-v-i-t-y?}, and Cody getting ready for his first football game of the season.

Here are the two page inserts I added. The top is a front and back journaling strip. The text was simply copied from my recent 'Blog Your Heart' post. The page peeking out underneath shows a few more instagram shots from the week and a stamped journaling spot.

Have I mentioned that I love cork and kraft..anything? -LOL!

Last, a close up of a journaling card {with a type-o..that has been fixed} and the cute little Starbucks 'family tree themed' gift card {with a rogue scrap of paper}. The gift card was actually my inspiration point for these pages...love it! :)

Thanks so much for stopping in. Hope to see you again soon!

love, lisa

City Girl Goes Country | Creative Scrappers #174

2011-09-18T08:23:00.000-07:00

Good Morning everyone!
It has been a crazy week over here. I'm truly thankful that I was able to get some scrapping done between all the other 'stuff' I had to do. I just *LOVE* popping in my iPod and singing my brains out while I get into 'the zone'. :) My family thinks I'm crazy...but I don't care. It makes me happy!! :)

Today I'm sharing my take on Creative Scrappers Sketch #174. It was a GOOD one...and I've used it 2 other times since :) Here's 'City Girl Goes Country'. A headline about my gardening endeavors this year. :)

I've been really big on making my own background paper lately. For this one, I've used a Studio Calico stamp (newsprint pattern), Jenni Bowlin ink ('seed packet'), and a piece of Scenic Route grid paper (SR..RIP) :) I really like the 'newspaper' feel that was created and simply went from there.

For the title, I've used some October Afternoon, letter stickers (that I've been hoarding..for-ev-er), and gave them a quick drive by on my sewing machine. The sub-titles 'extra-extra' and 'read all about it' are Lily Bee, and 'breaking news' was made with my Dymo labeler.

I used Katie Pertiet's Fastened Frames No.4 digital template to create the photo strips. The sketch called for 1-3 photos per strip...and as you can see I got a little crazy. That's when I put the photos on the diagonal. Which I think worked out well since the 'newsprint paper' was also on the diagonal. It really started shaping up into the 'front page' I was hoping for.

I tossed in some hand journaling and a few butterflies created from Martha Stewart punches (3-n-1 classic butterfly, classic butterfly, and the large monarch butterfly ). A few pieces of pattern paper to brighten things up...and viola!!! An 'article' in the 'newspaper' about my garden!! :)

I hope you have a wonderful week. Thanks for stopping in today! :)

love, lisa

Blog Your Heart Challenge

2011-09-14T09:21:00.000-07:00

Good morning everyone! It's still super-early here. Three outta four peeps are still asleep (but I hear several alarm clocks/phones going off). I've snuck out to the living room to hop on my computer and get a sneak peek of what has been going on in the world while I was asleep.

I checked my email and then snuck over to my new found <3 Twitter....I know, I know....I was anti Twitter for a long time. But I have to admit. I am really enjoying reading the quick one liners from the people I know, would love to know, and those I just admire from a distance. One of the first one's I read was from Stephanie Howell. It mentioned Ali Edwards, which immediately caught my attention.  It said, 'thanks @aliedwards for inspiring my blog post today'.  Well, I knew it was going to be a great post. . .because I read Ali's post yesterday. I really don't have the proper words to explain how open-heartedly and 'real' (as she put it) Ali's statements about her life were. So.... :) I zipped on over to Stephanie's blog to see what she had in store for us.

She posted a 'Blog Your Heart' challenge...and shared some really truthful feelings and examples of her everday -right now. Her challenge was for us to do the same.

{k, I'm back...had to get one off to work, and 3 off to school} :)
So, here is what is on my heart right now. . .minus any 'rainbows and unicorns':

1. I am so thankful that Nathan seems to be adjusting well at kindergarten. His bout with seperation anxiety seems to be over. However, the sight and sound of him screaming, 'Mommy!!! Huggie-Kissie, Huggie-Kissie' as his teacher peels him away from me still chokes me up.
2. I am thankful that Cody seems to be thriving and rising to the challenge his new school is offerring. Although some days he really misses his old friends, he is making new ones.
3. I am glad that my 'Big Kid'...aka the 6 foot 2 inch beast that is eating us outta house and home...is liking high school. He is sooo stinkin' smart and is a really good kid. It saddens me to think that in just a few years he could choose to leave us and start a life of his own. -Oh great, now I'm crying.
4. The hubby....where do I start. We've been so lucky to have had such an easy ride when it comes to our relationship. We stuck together when Chase died...although so many were quick to warn us that many marriages fail when there is a death of a child involved. I guess I'm just pretty lucky to have him (even though he messes up my routine when he comes home from his shifts -LOL!)
5. My lil' daycare peeps. I love 'em to pieces. I love playing with them. I love the excitement and laughter they bring into the house. I do however, struggle with the fact that all my babes are now in school and wonder if this is what I am supposed to be doing at this stage of my life.
6. I am frustrated with our finances to the point of not sleeping well at night. I feel like a hamster that keeps running in her wheel and gets nowhere (minus the benefits that all that exercise would give!). I'm tired of cutting and cutting our budget, only to have some other door slam in our faces so that we have to cutting even more.
7. I'm mad at Gerry Brown (CA state governor)
8. I'm 'besties' with the school nurse at the littles new school. School has been is session 1 month and I've been summoned 4 times. One kid fell in the mud, one peed his pants, one bent his finger back playing at recess, and one came home sick with a stomach bug. -LOL! I warned  her that she'd be seeing a lot of me after I made my first appearance...she thought I was kidding! :) -Oh, and I love the fact that Nathan calls the nurse's office 'The Hospital' :) -LOL! 4 year olds are so cute!
9. I am LOVING scrapbooking again. The ju-ju is back!
10. I like this Twitter thing...I am however having a dilema making friends. I read 'tweets' from all the scrappy peeps (no pun intended) that I like....and often want to chime in and respond to their posts....but am having difficulting doing so without feeling like I'm 'butting-in'. I don't want to be that 'weird stalker lady' -you know what I mean??
11. Loving God. Love that I look forward to attending church. Love finally reading and understand the stories in the Bible. Love that my family has been open to everything that having faith offers.
12. Not liking how messy my boys are. There is 'stuff' everywhere. Clothes, shoes, hats, homework papers, backpacks, toys, nerf darts, trains, cars, video game controllers, empty dvd cases, dirty dishes, pee on the toilet seat-floor-and adjacent walls, supper-heroes in my shower, athletic cups in the hallway....I could go on and on. ugh. I can't keep up. And yes, I do have them pick stuff up too. :)
13. Not liking my fitness level AT ALL right now. I am not moving enough. I am at my heaviest right now, know I need to work at it, know that others know I need to work at it, but still for some reason....have not found the motivation. I'm gonna cry.
14. Missing my Mom. Today she would have been 62. It's been a loooooong nearly 8 years without her. Headed to the cemetary with my sister. -ok pretty much sobbing now.
15.  I need to learn to say 'NO' better. I am all for helping out the less fortunate, and volunteering when I can. However, being a wife, Mom, homemaker, daycare provider, scrapper, etsy shop owner, community garden member, football team assistant A.D., little league board member, hospitality ministry member at church, kindergarten classroom volunteer, carpooling person (just off the top of my head) is leaving little time for what is most important....me, my family, faith and friends. Getting burnt out.
16. Lastly, to leave you on a happy note. I am LOVING all of the amazing fruit and veggies our garden has provided this season. Corn, strawberries, cucumbers, zuchinni, yellow squash, tomatos, herbs, boysenberries, raspberries, onion, eggplant, peppers galore, and watermellon. Yum. In fact I have about 16 lbs of San Marzano tomatos on my kitchen shelf that will soon be the most amazing pasta sauce....I call it 'kitchen sink spaghetti sauce' :) ...simply because I put everything except for the kitchen sink in it! :) -lol!!

Wow, this challenge has really been therapeutic! -LOL! I'm done crying now. It's just been an emotional day...

I hope to see you soon!

love, lisa
*image above via www.stephaniehowell.com

His 'first day'

2011-09-10T22:07:00.000-07:00

Hi there :) I just finished a layout for the 'So You Think You Can Scrap' event at Colorful Creations. The challenge was to use at least 2 DIY embellishments.
I ended up creating journaling spots using Studio Calico stamps with Jenni Bowlin (stick candy) and Papertrey Ink (ocean tides) ink, Studio Calico wood buttons, Papertrey Ink blue buttons and twine, and cork punched with a Martha Stewart mini heart confetti punch.

Instead of a patterned paper, I stamped an alphabet background (also Studio Calico) in the bottom right corner and placed a Pink Paislee wood letter initial, that was misted, in the center of it.

This layout was soooo fun to make! You know how I feel about making my own embellishments!! And I've been wanting to document this day for almost a month now. Here's a close up of the journaling:

I was soooo choked up when I saw his excitement turn to nervousness. You can see it in his 'smile'....totally forced. But, he didn't cry....that day. :)

A little journaling and doodling with my new found love....the American Crafts Precision Pens....and there you have it!

Thanks so much for stopping in! Have a great rest of your weekend! :)

love, lisa

The Perfect Day | Creative Scrappers #172

2011-09-03T23:47:00.000-07:00

Happy Sunday everyone! For those of you in the U.S., I hope you are enjoying your Labor Day Weekend. I know I sure am!! :)

Today I'm sharing Creative Scrappers sketch #172 and my take on it. Here they are:

*LOVED* this sketch. On my layout you'll see misting (green and orange), a handmade 'sun' tag and banners, a little doodling, some die cut muslin that I misted (before opening up last month's SC kit and finding some truly *amazing* Pink Paislee 'mistables'...which is the same thing...but better!), new Pink Paislee wood letters (had to throw that in because I've been waiting VERY patiently for them to arrive -lol!), lots of 'messy stitching' around the perimeter, and layers of patterned paper. :) I added the journaling around the misted circle instead of adding a journaling block.

Here you can see the handmade tag, messy stitching and misting

Layered paper and the strip of muslin I die cut and misted

I used a Creative Memories circle cutter to make my own mask for the misting shown below

Please click on this link to go check out Creative Scrappers for yourself. You will love it!! :)

Thanks for stopping in!

love, lisa

Come Shop With Me

2011-09-01T13:21:00.000-07:00

Today I will be stocking my shop full of goodies that I hope :) will inspire you to create something. Look for mini kits to help you get started on your seasonal albums, cards, and gifts....and lots of little handmade items and supplies to make your crafting super-special, cute and unique.

*It would be wonderful if you'd help spread the word about my shop update* This etsy shop is pretty darn new...and it's often difficult to spread the news to 'old shop' customers. I could definitely use a little positive push to get this shop's ball rolling. Thanks so much!

So head on over to my new shop! :) ALL ORDERS PLACED TODAY THROUGH LABOR DAY WILL RECEIVE A *FREE* MINI GRAB BAG!! No code necessary. . .I'll simply toss it in with your order! :) **AND...IF YOU {HEART} MY SHOP IN ADDITION TO MAKING A PURCHASE YOU CAN COUNT ON SOMETHING EXTRA SPECIAL TOSSED IN TOO!! :)

I'm super-excited about my shop, a new and improved shop, being up and running again. It's been a LONG time since I've been able to make the time to do something I'm so passionate about. I thank you in advance for your support! XOXOXO

love, lisa

5 Things On Friday. . .

2011-08-26T16:03:00.000-07:00

1.Shop News...

2. We've survived the first full week of school! Getting up early, packing lunches, fixing breakfast for 3 boys that really aren't that hungry yet. Gathering up homework, backpacks, water bottles -plural- because it's been way over 100 degrees everyday...and still working in football practices, church youth groups and family stuff. The youngest are super-excited that they have minimum day EVERY FRIDAY! It made getting them ready this morning much, much easier.

**Edited** So, do you see that cute little 'angel' in the bottom right corner of the photo above? Well, at Kindergarten pick-up today I got the 'come see me wave' from his teacher. (oh Lord). Turns out the lil' booger was hitting another boy... they had been arguing over who was going to marry Malia, a little girl my Natey has known for-ev-er. I guess he got super-worked up after his feelings were crushed that she had taken the other boy's side, leaving him the odd man out. Seriously, 'crushed' at 4 years old? ...ugh.

3. Must get more Washi Tape. I've been seeing tooooo many cute projects using it. . .and I think it's time to widen my variety. :)

4. I ordered a couple Studio Calico stamp sets (1, 2, 3) from Simon Says Stamp this morning. Can't wait to get my hands on them.

5. Did I mention that the DH got promoted to CAPTAIN at work?!?! {happy dance, happy dance} :)

It has been an eventful week!! Lots of events, lots of pictures, lots of stuff to scrap this weekend. . .not to mention AN ETSY SHOP UPDATE!! :)

SWING BY HERE ON SEPTEMBER 1ST TO SEE HOW YOU CAN GET SOME FREE 'STUFF'!! :)

Have a wonderful weekend!!

love, lisa

Creative Scrappers #170 | Hit it!

2011-08-21T14:13:00.000-07:00

It's Sunday and that means it's time for another Creative Scrappers sketch reveal!
Something that I love about all the sketches on this site is their 'usability' (is that even a word?! -LOL!). I guess I'm trying to say that they are sketches/layouts that I am proud to incorporate into my albums...and I must confess...I've tried sketches from other sites that don't end up in my books.
Here's this week's sketch, my layout and a couple close up shots:

I am really loving mixing up textures and elements right now. I've used machine stitching, stamping, wood veneer, cork, alpha stickers that are different thicknesses and of course paper. I've always done this on the cards that I've created...but am just now getting into adding it onto my layouts.

Thanks for stopping into today! I hope you'll swing by again real soon :)

love, lisa

Makeover Monday

2011-08-08T11:39:00.000-07:00

It's Makeover Monday here on my blog! It's a chance to re-do or fix-up projects that I'm not completely happy with...and I have the perfect candidate! :)
Yesterday I shared a layout I made for the latest Creative Scrappers sketch reveal. Although I liked it...I couldn't stop thinking about the finished product. Something just wasn't right. So this morning...it got a makeover!
Ready to see the changes??? Here they are!! :)
First. . .the sketch:

My Before:

And my After:

Yaaaaay!!! I am MUCH happier with the newest version. I think it's brighter, happy, better organized and balanced. The stamping along the bottom is a lot neater than the random misting I did on the original. Which, as you saw looked weird on the kraft paper.

I used additional textures, sizes, shapes and layers on the 'circle-ish embellishment strip' along the bottom. I *LOVE* making my own embellishments...I can honestly say...I wouldn't mind sitting around all day putting them together. :)

Above, you can see lots of layers, colors, buttons, wood shapes, cork, washi tape, misting, machine sewing and stamping...putting a LO together is like building a small city! :)

An Amy Tangerine tag added onto a few layers that I've done some journaling on.

I love that little ric-rac die! -oh and the 'today' flat back button is from an Evalicious set bought for my Ali Edwards Week In The Life project I'm putting together. (Do you see the cute little orange skirt I made for one of my nieces?) :)

Lastly, I wanted to show you just how thick and chunky all the elements are. I've used foam squares to raise the tag, photos and some of the circle embellishments on the bottom.

It is such a relief to have had this makeover done. I am sooooo happy with the new layout! :) Never settle with a project you are unhappy with. Work with it until you're proud of it. :)

Thanks so much for stopping by for my Makeover Monday! Hope to see you soon.

love, lisa

Creative Scrappers #168 | Sew Smile

2011-08-07T08:30:00.000-07:00

Sewwww... (pun intended)... I've been moonlighting. :) I have been learning to sew on a new machine that I received for my birthday last March. Previously I had been sewing mostly on scrapbook pages and protectors with my Mom's machine...but sewing something soft and fabric-y :) was what I really wanted to do.
I've been 'garage sewing' with my neighbor, 'front porch sewing' myself (I sew outside so that I can still 'craft' while still watching my kids ride bikes and play etc...nothing like killing two birds with one stone!), and I've taken a begining quilt class.
So far I've completed a lot of straight lines on scrap fabric, two little girl skirts, and 1/2 a quilt-like totebag. I've learned that just like any other hobby. . .there is always something else you 'need' (fabric, 'notions', different 'feet' for your sewing machine etc.). So it's been quite the adventure thus far.
With all of the sewing going on, how could I not incorporate the theme into a LO. So....(I feel like I'm saying 'so' and 'sew' a lot today!) here is this week's sketch and LO for Creative Scrappers:

Ok...so let me say upfront. This LO did not photograph well (obviously). I've tried retaking pictures at several times throughout the day. It never fails...the orange mist looks crazy! -ugh. I guess it's just frustrating because in 'real life' it looks just fine...but I can't get over it.
Soooo, :) I think it's gonna be another 'make-over Monday' over here. Look for an updated version of this LO here tomorrow on the blog-a-roo! Most of the elements will stay the same or similar...but changes will be made! :)

See ya tomorrow with the improved (hopefully) LO! :)

love, lisa

You Are My Best Daddy | Creative Scrappers #166

2011-07-24T07:50:00.000-07:00

Good Morning!!It's time for another Creative Scrappers reveal. . .and it's a super-good one!! So, let's not waste time :)

I think the layers and little embellishment cluster on this sketch are awesome!

Here is my layout:

I'd like to share with you how I created it. While brainstorming, I got it in my head that I could do this challenge with one piece of paper. . . .crazy huh? I also knew that I wanted to use a cheveron pattern and lots of mist. :)

First, I had to create my own mask.

I used a piece of cardstock, measured out and blocked off the section where I wanted the cheveron pattern.

I stamped the image repeatedly onto the cardstock.

Then I started cutting. . .

And I cut, and cut, until it was all done :) {The fun part is next!}

Here, I've set my homemade mask on top of my layout background paper and taped it down. I used a couple pieces of scrap cardstock to hide all but the single cheveron row I planned on misting. And I sprayed away. Once I was done I removed the mask. . .and went to wash my rainbow colored hands! :)

This misted cheveron pattern serves as the large rectangle section of the sketch.

Here, I've stamped a border through the misted area.

Added a title using a variety of stickers, and doodled on/around them to make them stand out a bit more.

Adhered the matted photo of my hubby and youngest son. . .along with wood veneer circles and baker's twine for texture. The little heart is puffed up with a teeny-tiny piece of foam square adhesive. Oh, and you can't see it. . .but next to the photo I've date stamped the paper. . .you know how much I love adding dates, initials, symbolic numbers etc! :)

I'm just loving how the mist looks in person. Kinda fuzzy and warm. :)

And there you have it! :) {You can click on any of the images to enlarge} I think it was well worth the time and patience it took to create the mask. . .and I almost met my other mental challenge of using only one sheet of paper (that was hard!!). I succeeded until I used a scrap piece of kraft cardstock to mat my photo. . .it just needed something to make it stand out against the other elements. :)

I am *LOVING* being a part of the Creative Scrappers Creative Team. The people and sketches are fabulous!! I hope that you've enjoyed my take on the sketch, and will head on over there to gather up some more inspiration for yourself! :)

Have a wonderful Sunday!!

love, lisa

Creative Scrappers #164 | My First Pet

2011-07-10T00:11:00.000-07:00

Hi there! :) It's reveal day at Creative Scrappers :) Sketch #164 is AWESOME and I plan to use it again and again! :) Here's the sketch & my take on it:

I love how this LO came together. The sketch design, colors, photos etc. . .they all just seemed to fall into place. I know I'll love this LO for a long time to come. :)

One of the techniques I knew I wanted to use was masking & misting. Here, I used a portion of a Studio Calico wood veneer shape to create a sunburst journaling block. I just *love* the color. . .hence the opacity. . .although I prefer to call it 'a thorough job'. :) The '4' game piece was added to remind me of Nathan's age.

The two photos above show some of the layers, misting blocks, stitched tabs and bits of stuff I used. :) -Yes. . .he really named his pet worm, 'Wormy'. . .LOL!

Be sure to swing by Creative Scrappers, check out the sketches, and link your creations up! The July sponsor is Pretty Little Studio!!! Soooooo, get scrappin'! You have until July 31st to add your link(s). Sketches 162-166 are all fair game for this random drawing. . .the more you link. . .the more chances you have to win. :)

Recipe:

CS: Bazzill

DP: Pink Paislee, October Afternoon

Alpha Stickers: American Crafts (fabric -title), Jenni Bowlin Studios (black/cream circles)

Punches: McGill, Fiskars

Mist & Mask: Studio Calico

Wood Game Piece & Mini Attacher Staples: Tim Holtz

Adhesive: Glue Dots

Thanks so much for stopping by today :) I hope that you found a little inspiration to create something special of your own. :) Have a wonderful day.

love, lisa

Twinkies

2011-07-05T22:46:00.000-07:00

So, my silly boys (the two youngest) have this 'thing' that I've wanted to scrap about for a while. You know, one of those 'things' that are crazy, weird & funny now...but will be out-grown and forgotten until something like a scrapbook page reminds us... :) -LOL!
I've used the Jillibean Soup June Sketch by Julie Bonner. . . :) . . .and here's what I came up with:

Journaling:
Yep...That's Nathan being silly as usual. He had been running all around the house when he unexpectedly slid across the carpet and yelled..."Mom...check out my twinkies!!!" Both he and Cody call their buns 'twinks' or 'twinkies'. :)
*It was just too cute (in my opinion) not to scrap! :)

Above, I used a Jillibean Soup stamp and clear embossing powder to heat emboss frames to house some of my favorite Jillibean Soup papers. I LOVE watching the powder 'blow up' underneath the power of that heat gun! :)

Well, I'm B-E-A-T! Gonna head to bed. Hope to see you soon! :)

love, lisa

Something Blue and Something Pink

2011-06-20T08:24:00.000-07:00

Good Morning!! I hope everyone had a GREAT weekend. . .we sure did! Capping off yesterday was a last minute get together with my In-laws and Dad. We caught up, enjoyed a spicy meal (followed by yummy pie. . .mmm!) and held a Mexican Train marathon that ended just before the crowning of the Miss USA pagent. . .Yaaay Miss California!!
This morning is soooo beautiful out. I wanted to do a quick post before heading out to water the garden. . .so here goes! :)
First off I wanted to share 'Something Blue'. . .which is gift wrap from B's Father's day gifts yesterday.

Yes, we call B. . .'Super-Duper-Daddy' -LOL!! :) The top gift is wrapped in a recycled Trader Joe's bag that was stamped and had a strip of stapled twill tape attached. The bottom gift is a kraft bag that I stamped a cute 'to' and 'from' on. I didn't have a halo for Chase, so I thought a lil' heart would do. :)

Recipe:
Stamps: Papertrey Ink (polka dots), Studio Calico (alpha, people and hearts)
Ink: Tsukineko (StazOn,Timber Brown), Maya Road (metallic blue), ColorBox (pink)
Other: Tim Holtz tiny attacher, twill tape, grocery bag,small kraft bag

And for good measure. . .'Something Pink'. . .

I LOVE having quick simple cards on hand. . .just-in-case I have a last minute need. This one is perfect. It can be completed in under 5 minutes. . .for real! :) Here are the simple steps:

cut and fold card base
stamp and cut out main image
adhere to card front and stick on a button
stamp sentiment
using a ruler & pen create a frame around your elements (don't measure. . just eyeball it)

Super-fast and easy huh?! :)

Recipe:
CS: Bazzill
Stamp: Unity
Button: Papertrey Ink
Ink: Tsukineko (StazOn)
Pen: American Crafts
Adhesive: Glue Dots

That's it for now! I'm off to water the garden :) Have a wonderful day!

love, lisa

Great News...

2011-06-11T22:33:00.000-07:00

Hi there! :) We just got home from a quick trip to the lake. So good to be back. . .mainly because of the horrible mosquitos we encountered. . .but all in all we did have a GREAT time! :) Skiing, tubing, floating, relaxing and playing. . .right up my alley. :)
I am very happy to announce that I've been selected as one of the new Creative Team members over at Creative Scrappers! I am reeeaaaallly excited about jumping in and getting started. Make sure to swing by their site each week to play along with the amazing sketches that they have. . .you won't be sorry. Here is the list of the upcoming team:

Genevive Rulona - Singapore
Sarah Augustesen - Denmark
Raissa Costa - Brazil
Tamara Wade - Australia
Debbi Tehrani - USA

Nicole Nowosad - Canada
Mija Comstad - Sweden
Machiko Matsuura - Japan
Sophie Laliberté - Canada
Felicitas Klink - Germany

Marielle LeBlanc - Canada
Lisa Westphal - USA
Deb Harter - USA
Lindy Gillespie - Australia
Yohko Takiguchi - Japan

Natasha Naranjo Aguirre - USA
Shannon Morgan - USA
Ana Castro - Brazil
Sarah Webb - USA

Jody Hodgson - Canada

I can't wait to share my new creations with you!! :)

Have a GREAT weekend!

love, lisa

Bottom Bunk Brothers

2011-06-03T10:27:00.000-07:00

Good Morning! :) Today is the first day of summer break for my boys. It's sunny, warm and quiet. . .And boy did I wake up energized!! :)
With the big kids sleeping in (lazy dogs! -lol!!), I had a chance to hit the scrap zone early. . .and let me tell you. . .my October Afternoon Rocket Age product was calling me!! :) I grabbed Creative Scrappers sketch #158 and went to town! Here's the sketch and my take on it:

As you can see, I've rotated the sketch onto its side, added lots of different shapes and textures, fussy-cut some of the patterned paper and hand stamped the date, initials and ages. The title was made with OA's mini market letter stickers. . .have I mentioned just how much i looooove these?!? :)

I love how this solar system model looks like a baby mobile hanging over the pic of my two sleeping boys!

I like to call this section. . .'the cluster of goodness' :)

Here is a close-up of some of the fussy-cuttin' that went on this a.m. . .before coffee! :)

. . .and, I have a journaling tag tucked away inside that cute little scalloped kraft envelope. I wanted this LO to document how Nathan has always been (and probably always will be) a co-sleeper. . .hence the photo of him sleeping with an older brother. I love that they are still 'cool with snuggling'.

Well, I'm off to make more 'stuff' :) I hope you have a chance to create something you love too! Happy Friday Everyone!

love, lisa

End of the School Year Teachers Gifts

2011-06-02T10:31:00.000-07:00

Today is the last day of school for my older boys. Here are a few pics of the gift set we sent to Cody's teacher.

I think this gift set came together nicely. It includes a thank you card with a handwritten message from my son, a small bag of chocolate covered toffee balls, a set of fabric banner paper clips/book markers attached to a school photo, and a gift card to Barnes and Noble for some summer reading. :)

The fabric banner paper clips were inspired by Ashley Ann Campbell's blog post yesterday. She is amazing!!! (times a million!) I simply cut my 'flags' a little different and stamped numbers on each of them to make them a little different.

I love how the clips add a pop of color to the black and white school photo they are attached to. I wanted to incorporate a school photo somehow. . .because after today our Meadow Creek Elementary School will be closing its doors. :( The district plans to turn it into a charter school next year. So. . .the blue and white mountain lions, paw prints, earth day sidewalk mural, signage and other Meadow Creek ephemera will be removed. The kids have all been re-zoned to other schools. The teachers and staff moved elsewhere or let go. :( This has been a real heart breaker for me because as long as this school has been open, I've had at least one student enrolled there. Next year, my youngest should have been a kindergartner there. -Anyway. . .it's just a super-hard day for me. I'm glad I was able to use this photo in the gift set.

On another happy/sad note. . .I've got to get going! :) Today is my last, 'Natey and Mommy' day (our last day with just us. . .after today the older boys will be on their summer break. . .and when school starts up again in August all 3 will be leaving me -sad face-). So, I'm off to the park and library. . .and most likely a stop at Carl's Jr for his favorite lunch treat -chicken stars.

Have a wonderful day!

love, lisa

Celebrate...Go Out and Play | Creative Scrappers #156

2011-06-01T13:03:00.000-07:00

Hi there! :) Just popping in to post a quick LO using sketch #156 from Creative Scrappers.
Here's the sketch. . .followed by my take on it:

Recipe:

CS: Bazzill
DP: Basic Grey (Life of the Party)
Stamps: Ali Edwards for Technique Tuesday (Kids are Cool)
Ink: Tsukineko, Ranger, Studio Calico (mist)
Letter Stickers: October Afternoon
Twine: Papertrey Ink
Brads: Making Memories
Other: Tag, Washi Tape, Glue Dots and 3L Foam Squares

Thanks for looking!! :)

love, lisa

u r amazing

2011-05-18T17:51:00.000-07:00

I Loved creating this super-bright and fun LO about my youngest son's successful bike riding adventure. I knew that I had to use bright, happy and exciting colors because that afternoon was just plain exciting! :) This was one of my first attempts with the mist. . .I'm no Maggie Holmes. . .but hey -it doesn't look too bad! :) -LOL!

I used one of the Studio Calico Wood Veneer Star shapes as a mask for this homemade journaling spot.

You know that I love to include little symbolic details. . .here, the 'N' is his initial. . .and the '4' is for his age.

I stamped the numbers 1, 2, and 3 on the small photos on the bottom of the LO to better show the sequence of the event. (He looks so serious!) ;)

Recipe:

CS: Bazzill, Papertrey Ink

DP: Pink Paislee, Crate Paper

Ink: Tsukineko, Maya Road

Stamps: EK Success

Dies: Papertrey Ink

Letters, Wood Stars & Mist: Studio Calico

Punch: Stampin' Up!, Mc Gill

Pen: American Crafts

Tiny Attacher Staples: Advantus

Adhesive: Glue Dots, 3L Scrapbook Adhesives

Thanks so much for looking! :)

love, lisa

Teacher Appreciation Day

2011-05-18T10:29:00.000-07:00

Yesterday seemed to be a typical morning. . .until we arrived at the elementary school and I noticed pretty much ALL of the children carrying flowers.
Me: What's going on?
Cody: Huh?
Cody: Oh ya! It's Teacher Appreciation Day today. . .I have to bring my teacher a flower!!!
Me: What?!! -It's 7:42! The bell rings in eight minutes! Why didn't you tell me about this earlier?!?
Cody: I don't know. . .we have to go get a flower!
So, I raced home. Jumped out of the car. Grabbed an antique glass bottle (kinda kicking myself now). . . and headed to the Scrap Zone. There I grab a few quick supplies and threw this this together.

     Cody signed his name. . .clipped a geranium from a plant out front. . .and hopped back in the car (after stopping to pose for a photo, of course! -lol!)    We got back to the school at 7:53 and he had two minutes to race to his classroom.
     Whew! I am sooo glad we were able to get something together so quickly. I would have felt terrible if he had not brought something.
     Now I just need to figure out how to get this boy more organized (the note about the flowers was in his backpack -never given to me. . .and today he left his math homework at home. . .we had to race home again to get it! -ugh!!)
     Well I'm hoping to finish up a few LO's I've been working on. . .if only this migraine would go away. . . .grrr. . .I'm keeping my fingers crossed :)
Have a wonderful day!

love, lisa

Happy NSD | The Queen Bee Market

2011-05-07T16:16:00.000-07:00

To all you scrappers out there: Happy National Scrapbooking Day! :) I am so excited about getting my scrap on! :) We've done one baseball game this morning. . .and leave for another at three. . .so I'm gonna get started 'making stuff' right now. :)

Before I do. . .I wanted to share a few of the purchases I made last night at The Queen Bee Market. I fell in *LOVE* with soooo many things. . .but you know how it goes. . . :)

#1 Hair Pins {already kicking myself for not getting more} - Allora Handmade

#2 Crafty Pins/Buttons - I found these in a basket at checkout. No vender info on them.

#3 Awesome Ruffle-y-Padded Case {I plan to store my Nook Reader in it} - The Pleated Poppy

#4 Orange Flower Earrings - Crystal B Handcrafted Jewelry

#5 'Live Vibrantly Not Perfectly' Print - Elise Joy {*Yes, I saw Elise in person, and acted like a complete dork when I introduced myself as one of her blog readers*}

#6 My 2 Youngest Shopping {I prefer to call it 'shopping' vs. 'eagerly touching as many items as possible'}

It was well worth the 2 hour drive there {and back}. I can't wait to attend their next event. . .because IT WAS AWESOME!!

I hope to be back soon with projects to share with you. I finally replaced the ink cartridges in our printer. . .and plan to add photos to my 1/2 completed LO's today. :) -They will definitely be cuter with photos.

love, lisa

New Toy

2011-04-09T18:01:00.000-07:00

I found this little gem at an estate sale Friday afternoon. I am really looking forward to getting it all cleaned up so I can use it on a layout or two.

It's a 'Wards Signature 440' and the font is kinda. . .-'signature-y' :)

I think that it's pretty cute. . .not what I expected. . .but it's growing on me. :)

And as you can see. . .red ink too!

The best part of it was explaining to my 14 year old how it works. He was completey amazed!! I was cracking up :)

And the littlest had to squat right down on top of the table to get a closer view of it. (Cody was with his church group and missed out on our test run today)

I'm gonna try and put it to use now. . .Wish me luck! :)

love, lisa

U Got Me | Creative Scrappers #149

2011-04-06T12:00:00.000-07:00

I just found an awesome sketch site called Creative Scrappers. Although this sketch deadline had passed, I had to do it. . .because I loved it! :) I used an April Fool's Day photo of my oldest son and shared the story of his prank.
Here is the sketch and my take on it:

Recipe:

CS- Bazzill
DP- My Mind's Eye (Stella and Rose)
Dies- My Favorite Things, Papertrey Ink, Spellbinders
Stamps- EK Success, Studio Calico
Ink- Tsukineko, ColorBox, Maya Road, Pigma
Buttons- My Mind's Eye
Thread- Papertrey Ink
Stickers- Jenni Bowlin Studios

Thanks for looking :)

love, lisa

Beep Beep Move It!

2011-04-04T12:35:00.000-07:00

Last year I had made a rule for myself. . .I could only have as much patterned paper as I could fit into my wire storage bin. It's pretty full. . .probably because of all the new product available at my LSS -I have been indulging a bit. :) So, here is a LO using some of my older papers from My Little Shoebox. . .it barely put a dent in my stash. . .I'd better get busy. Enjoy! :)

Thanks for stopping in! I will have an April Fool's Day LO posted tomorrow. . .hope to 'see' you then. :)

love, lisa

Howdy Partner!

2011-03-30T09:30:00.000-07:00

I have been LOVING creating layouts with the new Crate Paper Toy Box line. It is perfect for scrapping my 3 little dudes (well, I guess not so little dudes is more appropriate).
This is a LO of our stop at the Lego Store in Downtown Disney last week. I started it. . .then got totally distracted by the star themed embellishements I began making.

Before I knew it, I had 8 different 'stars' created for this LO. They were so fun & easy to make. Some are stamped, layered with metal pieces, raised with foam squares, have buttons and/or twine. . .you get the idea. I only ended up using 3 of them on this LO. . .the others are eagerly awaiting their new home. :)

My all -time favorite scrappy 'things' are: stars, polka pots, anything orange, and secretive/hidden details. . .you know. . .the stuff that means something special to my family and I. . .but others may simply glance over without having it 'click'. On this LO, I stamped 'March 2011' onto the patterned paper. I also stamped a red circle around the 16-17 on the same paper to remind me of the dates we were there. There are also several hand-stamped number '2's' just to remind me that these '2' boys were crazy about their find.

I'm also a big fan of hand-stitching. I love adding embroidery floss to my LO's.

Recipe:

CS: Bazzill, Stampin' Up!

DP & Brads: Crate Paper

Stamps: EK Success, Papertrey Ink

Ink: Tsukineko, Color Box

Adhesive: Glue Dots

Punches: marvy Uchida

Embroidery Floss: DMC

Buttons: Papertrey Ink, Rusty Pickle

Twine: Papertrey Ink

Dies: My Favorite Things, Papertrey Ink

Metal Gears: Advantus

Alphas: American Crafts, Cosmo Cricket

Thanks so much for stopping by today! DH is at work today/night. I hope to get a lot of my projects photo edited/resized to add to the blog (and family blog). He's been home studying A LOT lately. . .so my computer time has been limited. . .but. . .if all of his studying pays off it will be sooo worth it. :) Feel free to say a little prayer for his success! :) Thanks!

love, lisa

Scrappy Nerd. . .

2011-03-25T09:04:00.000-07:00

    -LOL! :)  I am proud to admit that I am a total 'scrappy nerd'!! I do silly things all the time when it comes to this hobby. One of the dorkiest being checking out the galleries I post on, to see if I made any of their 'featured' spots. Crazy, I know :) Anyway, TODAY was one of the days that my efforts paid off. I have a card featured on the scrapbook.com gallery! -Yes, I know. . .they do pick a handful of projects and rotate the images throughout the day (not that I go back and check the site multiple times per day or anything. . .he-he!). But one of mine was there today. . .Yaaaa! Happy Dance!
    Here is the card:

    Loving the new Jillibean Soup stamps. Super-fun. . .super-versatile!! You should definitely check them out (available here). I've been playing around with them and have already created 7 new cards! I'll be sharing some of them with you soon.
    Thanks for stopping by!! I'll be back Monday with a new project or two. Have a wonderful weekend!

love, lisa

Mini Album - The House That Built Me

2011-03-23T14:17:00.000-07:00

For a really long time now I've wanted to do a mini album about my childhood home. I lived there for 18+ years and have MANY wonderful memories. Unfortunately, I also have a terrible one. My Mom passed away in this home, and I was there that morning. For years now, it has been really difficult for me to go back. I can honestly say that I've probably only been there 5 times in the last 7 years. Sad, huh?

Well, a few months back my sister and I went over to Dad's house to go through some of Mom's stuff he was ready to get rid of. When I pulled up, I immediately noticed the huge tree on the corner of the lot -gone. . . and a lot of the grass had died. Paint was now peeling off the walls and my Mom's love for that home was clearly absent.
As painful as it was, I got out my camera and started snapping photos of EVERYTHING. I wanted to capture the details of the everyday sights that were important to me so that I could share those memories with my family.
Although I was so upset about the house looking the way it did, I tried to accept that my Dad has moved on. He has a new home, where he is extremely happy and he is working hard on making it his own. Who knows, maybe he has let things go a bit on the old house because it's hard for him to be there too. . .I just don't know. For now, it is just sitting there. . .waiting to be loved again.
Now that I've totally brought you down -LOL!. . .onto the album :) . . .and what I decided to put inside. :)
Here's the sign on the corner. I always thought it was funny that my maiden name was 'Evans' and I lived on 'Evanwood' :)

LOVED these kookie little metal awnings that were always over our windows. . .total sign of the times. Our house used to be pea green. When my parents painted it grayish-blue the awnings got a makeover too.

This tree grew outside my bedroom window. It was a sight I saw each and everytime I looked outside. In spring it has beautiful tiny bright pink flowers that I loved seeing.

Our front door was a beast! It had to have weighed 500 pounds. You could hear it opening and closing from anywhere in the house. I want to remember it, and the delicate harp-like chimes that Mom had hanging from the back of it.

I added an evelope full of more photos. They all simply wouldn't fit in this book. Some of the shots include:

plants from our front yard
the chicken wire that covers the wrought iron fence on the driveway (my Dad put that there in the 80's when he brought us our first puppy)
view of the sidewalk across the street (which I walked to and from school on)
the names written in the concrete on the pool deck

There are a bunch of them. All which hold very special meaning to me.

While at the house I turned on the sprinklers. I started sobbing again as I remembered waking up on the weekend to the sounds of the front door opening, the sprinklers in the yard being turned on, and the smell of fressh coffee. That was my Mom's rountine. I miss her so much. And as I sobbed I happened to glance out the kitchen window. . .this is what I saw. . .

I know that my Mom was with me on that day. She was smiling at me through that beautiful rainbow.

If you haven't already done so. . .I highly recommend doing a similar project for yourself. It could be a scrapbook page, an album, a journaling page with memories on it. I think that because I took a gazillion photos. . .I'm also going to grab an antique recipe card box and add the photos and some cool scrappy dividers or something.
I just know that these places we cherish so much. . .change. If you hope to better capture how you remember it. . .get started. :)

Recipe:
Album: Maya Road
CS: Stampin' Up
DP: October Afternoon
Letter Stickers: Jenni Bowlin
Punches: Stampin' Up, Marvy Uchida, Fiskars, Martha Stewart
Dies: Papertrey Ink, My Favorite Things
Stamps: EK Success
Ink: Tsukinedo, Ranger, ColorBox
Rustic Twine and Button: Papertrey Ink
Envelope: Maya Road
Adhesive: Glue Dots, 3L, FabriTac
Other: Jenni Bowlin Butterfly (cover), Tim Holtz Tiny Attacher (staples), Orange Baker's Twine

Thanks for stopping in! :)

love, lisa

Festival of Books

2011-03-22T07:53:00.000-07:00

I had planned on sharing a mini album with you today. . .but the sun won't come out in 'sunny California' :( I'll snap some shots and post it as soon as it does -promise. :)
Here is one of the LO's I do have photographed and ready to share.

I have to confess. . .I wanted the new Jillibean Soup product soooo bad when it came out that I was on the prowl. The first items I found were the 6X6 pads. . .which was completely unexpected. . .I hadn't seen Jillibean in a 6X6 before. . .I *LOVE* THEM! I am soooo glad that they are making this size now. . .I am constantly sampling lines this way and making 12X12 purchases of my faves later.

I used papers from Blossom Soup & Dutch Mustard to piece together these die-cut ric-rac strips. I love these papers together.

I didn't plan on the messy stitching on this upside down tag. . .but I do like the way it turned out.

Here you can see some of the free-style machine stitching . . .

. . .and details of all the layers, texture, stamping etc. found along the top.

The event was held at UCLA (beautiful campus) so I added this tag (love this tag punch I just got too).

The 'W's' are for our last name, the '4' for the four in attendance that day (B was at work), and of course lots of stars-dots-butterflies & hearts.

Recipe:
CS: Bazzill
DP: Jillibean Soup
Punches: Fiskars, EK Success, Martha Stewart, Stampin' Up
Dies: My Favorite Things, Papertrey Ink
Chipboard Elements and Corrugated Shapes: Jillibean Soup
Stamps: EK Success
Ink: Tsukineko
Pen: Sakura
Adhesive: Glue Dots, 3L
Other: Tim Holtz Mini Attacher, Machine stitching

Thanks for looking! Have a GREAT day :)

love, lisa

October Afternoon Sneak Peek

2011-03-18T09:18:00.000-07:00

Hi there! :) I'm checking in to post a sneak peek of an October Afternoon mini album I recently made. I LOVE this little album and can't wait to share it with you all. :)

My boys are on Spring Break this week and next week. . .(even though 'Spring' doesn't start until this Sunday). We just got back from a few days at DISNEYLAND and I'm beat! Gonna clean the house and regroup today because it's VEGAS this weekend for my birthday. . .just my sister and I!!! What fun!! :)

So have an amazing weekend. . .I hope you get to make something super-crafty! See you Monday. :)

love, lisa

True Blue

2011-03-07T18:05:00.000-08:00

This is a new line of paper by My Mind's Eye called Fine & Dandy 'True Blue'. It is so fun, and quirky! Love the oranges and aquas together with the brown.
Here's the card I promptly made as soon as I got it:

And the inside:

I knew that I had to try to mimic the little owls seen on the paper above. I think my version turned out pretty-o.k. :) I love trying to paper-piece stuff and create my own embellishments.

Title using one of my favorite stamp sets:

And lastly, I just wanted you to see the thickness of this 'little chunk-ster.' There were a lot of foam squares used in the making of this lil' guy. :)

Next, I'm breaking into my Jillibean Soup product. . .Yaaaaa!! It's gonna be a fun night!!

love, lisa

I've Got New Paper. . .

2011-03-07T17:38:00.000-08:00

Today I got an incredible package from i {heart} papers. Talk about FAST service -WOW!! I highly recommend checking them out. . .I know I'll DEFINITELY shop there again. They have the latest and greatest. . .and their customer service ROCKS!! :)
Here's a peek at some of my goodies:

I have to go make something. . .I'll be back soon! I'm soooo excited!!!

love, lisa

Around and Around

2011-03-02T10:14:00.000-08:00

{click to enlarge}

I'm loving getting caught up on these Disneyland layouts! :) I feel soooo happy when I see the pics I took while there. . .it makes scrappin' easy!

One of my favorite styles or ways to scrap is to use lots of different fonts, letters, alpha stamps etc. to journal the story. On this LO, I've used two different alpha stamp sets, and two different kinds of alpha stickers. I think it helps keep the viewer interested and engaged in actually reading the story. . .vs. . .simply scanning the LO.

I'm really happy with the way the colors/papers etc. all came together. I pulled the red from N's shirt and went with it. I initially thought I should use bright-happy-wild colors. . .but when I saw my Cosmo Cricket Circa 1934 papers. . .I don't know. . .I just thought. . .hmmm. . .different. . .but good! :)

I cut the 'N' out of one of the patterened papers. . .it's almost like having free embellishments. . .and I highly recommend this. . .you can't go wrong.

And, if you haven't guessed the LO is about the Tea Cups ride at Disneyland and 'N's' crazy name for it. He just gets something in his head. . .and that's it! :) He's sooo silly.

Recipe:

DP: Cosmo Cricket

Letter Stickers: American Crafts, Jenni Bowlin Studio

Buttons: Papertrey Ink

Stamps: Studio Calico

Ink: Staz On

Adhesive: Glue Dots

Pen: Sakura

That's all for today! :)

love, lisa

Main Street USA

2011-03-01T10:27:00.000-08:00

We've been spending a lot of time at Disneyland since getting our annual passes at Christmas. One of the things I'm trying to do is document the details, favorites, and little moment that we experience there. I just want to make sure that years from now we remember the name of that restaurant (etc.) we loved. . 'you know the one with the monte cristo sandwich. . and the place where they have the best fritters' (see what I mean. . .).

This layout documents our tradition of stopping at the Blue Ribbon bakery on Main Street.

I used a few vintage buttons to create a Mickey head.

And some coordinating tape (suuuuuuch fun. . .lovin' the tape!).

Recipe:

DP: Cosmo Cricket

Letter Stickers: American Crafts, Jenni Bowlin Studio

Letter Rub Ons: October Afternoon

Tape: Martha Stewart

Buttons: Papertrey Ink

Adhesive: Glue Dots

Pen: Sakura

Thanks for stopping in!

love, lisa

Football Layout | Crate Paper

2011-02-26T20:24:00.000-08:00

I came across these pictures recently when I was 'organizing' my gi-normous digital photo stash. On this particular morning, the sun was just so darn beautiful. . .I couldn't stop shooting. . .and I'm glad I didn't -a lot of the pictures turned out super-good. I can't wait to use those.

This LO is based off of a CK Sketch, used lots of yummy Crate Paper products, and has the cutest American Crafts tape on it (my first time 'using' it vs. admiring it). The tape was super easy to use and write on. I ripped off a piece to add to each of the photos. Love how they are a little transparent and that the edges are all torn and peel-y.

I cut the banner out of a pattern paper full of banners and swooped them across the bottom. There are several spots where I've cut out individual triangles/pennants and placed them on top of the exisiting one with foam squares to add dimension.

I LOVED using the Crate Paper 'School Spirit' line. Above, you can see some of the coordinating chipboard elements and the Studio Calico 'September' stamp I used.

And lastly, here's a peek at the title. LOVE 'cork'-anything (it's so manly. . .I use it allllllll the time scrappin' my 3 boys, and 1 more little dude already in heaven). I also added more of that fun tape, and coordinating Crate Paper stickers (ticket) and chipboard (trophy and button). **Oh, and the red-white-and-blue argyle and star paper you see in from my former 'hoarders stash'. . .LOVE IT. . .Can't believe I used it (let's call it therapy). . .it's by My Mind's Eye. . .just had to give it the shout out it deserves! -LOL!! :)

Recipe:
CS: Bazzill
DP: Crate Paper (School Spirit), My Mind's Eye (Alphabet Soup -Boy)
Chipboard & Stickers: Crate Paper
Button & Twine: Papertrey Ink
Tape: American Crafts
Cork Letters: Making Memories
Stamps: Studio Calico
Ink: ColorBox, Papertrey Ink
Pen: Sharpie
Adhesive: Fabri Tac, Glue Dots

Hope you enjoy the rest of your weekend. I hope to get lots of scrappin' done. . .challenges, Project Life, DT applications etc. . .Oh, and don't forget the Studio Calico Reveal tomorrow! :)

love, lisa

A Thrifty Find | Crafty Submissions

2011-02-21T10:50:00.000-08:00

First I have to share this thrifty little find I scored this weekend. . .

I *L*O*V*E* it!!! It's red, wirey, old, and fits perfectly in this crafty corner at the end of my scrappy-zone. Best of all the shop owner sold it to me for $10! Yaaaaaaa for me! I can't wait to fill it with baskets, bins, jars and containers of 'stuff'. . .the possibilities are endless {big smile}.
As for scrappy stuff. . .I've been working on layouts, cards and projects for magazine submissions. Turns out, -lol!. . .I can't get published unless I start submitting. That's what I want. I want to get published and be chosen for a Design Team (or two. . .he-he). No more waiting around. . .I've got to get crackin'!
I'll be working on a few blog projects today. So, I'll have new items posted here soon.
Thanks for stopping by! See you soon.

love, lisa

BoBunny Crazy Love

2011-02-16T09:49:00.000-08:00

This is a 'Luuuuv' themed mini I created using lots of BoBunny Press 'Crazy Love' product. Super-easy to whip up. . .and a cute addition to add to my 'mini' collection.

I've used a Maya Road mini chipboard album for the base. Then piled on loads of 'Crazy Love'.

All of the edges have been painted and distressed in an antique white acrylic paint. The 'binding' (ha-ha) is simply a strand of twine tied in a bow. I wanted to keep it simple since the pages were busy.

And here are a few close-ups. . .

Recipe:

Album - Maya Road

Paper, Chipboard - BoBunny Press

Rhinestones - Kaisercraft

Ink - ColorBox

Paint - Delta

Letter Stickers - Cosmo Cricket

Trim - Making Memories

Adhesives - Fabri Tac, Glue Dots

Punches - Martha Stewart

Button - Jenni Bowlin Studios

Brown Bag - Papertrey Ink

Other - Misc. Trim, Twine

Have a 'Love'-ly day!

love, lisa

Love You Because {Part 2}

2011-02-14T07:01:00.000-08:00

Happy Valentine's Day! Today I'm sharing 'Part 2' of the 'Love You Because' mini albums I made as Valentine's Day gifts for my family. Part 1 of the project can be found here.

I will admit. . .after 'the bones' of the project were complete and I sat down to add the details, I had to really restrain myself from 'foof-ing them up'. I kept reminding myself that no teenage boy is going to want a blinged-out scrapbook on display in his room for others to see. Soooo, I practiced A LOT of control. . .and kept things super-simple and 'dude-like'. . .in hope that they would be something the boys would keep and love.

I chose to use kraft paper between each photo. They were cut to 4X4, outlined with a freehand border, and stamped with X's & O's using a Versamark inkpad.

Next, I took each of the kraft paper pages and adhered them to the backs of each photo. I made sure the pages were in the right order facing the correct direction, punched the holes and added a notebook ring.

For the cover I used the #10 template from Ali Edwards' Love You Because Layered Template Set. I hid all the layers except the frame and wording, and printed them onto red paper. -Still 'dude-like'. . .but a little lovey- :)

To complete the gift I hand wrote lots of 'nice stuff' about each of them. I really wanted them to know just how special they truly are.

I hope you liked my 'man-projects'. :) I really am happy with how they turned out. . .simple, clean, and they each include special/meaningful messages.

I'm off now to finish a 'totally foofy' BoBunny Valentine's Mini that I'm making for myself. . .glitter, ribbon, die cuts, chipboard, buttons. . .lots of yummy happy 'foof'! :)

Have a wonderful day! . . .And thanks for stopping by. :)

love, lisa

Love You Because {Part 1}

2011-02-13T08:02:00.000-08:00

So, It's no secret that I'm a huge Ali Edwards fan. I LOVE documenting pictures and stories. . .and she simply has a knack at getting it done and still having time to make 'the pretty stuff'.
When I began thinking about Valentine's Day this year, I thought that I'd do some sort of 'top 10 reasons I Love You' theme. With scrappy time limited this week, I decided to go hybrid and complete a lot of the project on the good ol' computer. I used my Ali Edwards Love You Because layered templates (available at Designer Digitals . . .and btw. . .are 30% off right now) as the base.

Super simple, right? Open each template, open a picture file for each, plop them on top of each other, print them at whatever size you'd like (I did 4X4's). . .call it good. Love it!

I've made one for each of my boys and one for my hubby. On the adjacent page, of this 'to be' mini album, I'm handwriting lots of reasons they are soooo loved (leaving the 'love you because' on each photo and 'hiding' the journaling layers on the template).

I'm doing a Part 1 and Part 2 for this entry. . .simply because I don't want the older boys reading the post and completely know what's to come on Monday (I'd like to think my blog is on their Google Reader. . .and that they read it -lol!). Part 2 will show the finished mini albums. I think they turned out super-cute! :) I did have to control myself. . .and keep them mostly 'manly' for all the man-peeps in my house (I am feeling really out-numbered right now!).
Anyway, this is 'the base' . . .or as I like to call it. . .'the vanilla' to the project. By starting here this project can go LOTS of different ways. Maybe you'll decide to whip one up too.

Have a wonderful day!

love, lisa

Project Life {Week 1}

2011-02-10T10:52:00.000-08:00

This year I've joined the HUGE following of people participating in Project Life by Becky Higgins. Project Life is. . .well it's anything you want it to be. . .Love that!! I'm going the pretty traditional route documenting bits and pieces of our daily life using photos, stories, and 'scraps' of 'stuff' I come across. . .isn't that what 'scrap'-booking is all about?? :)
I've chosen to continue using my 'matchy-matchy' American Crafts cloth albums for this project. I just like the way they look all lined up on the shelf together. So, I ordered the Project Life page protectors in my favorite style and a couple boxes of the journaling cards to go with it. All of products can be found at Amazon.com (search Becky Higgins Project Life). Oh, and if you didn't know they are also sold in a complete kit (shown here and here). . .which is Super-Spectacular-Awesome!! :) -Can't believe I forgot to mention that.
Here are a few shots of my Project Life Week 1:

Above, you can see I've included movie ticket stubs, a piece of my Project Life packaging, photos, journaling cards and some decorative paper. The photos are from New Year's Day (watching football and playing Mexican Train), Nathan patiently waiting to leave for his first playdate without me, and holiday decoration removal. I plan to use the Basic Grey 'Hopscotch' line of paper throughout the entire year and add lots of stamped stars, polka dots and little arrow to the journaling cards to keep it cohesive.

Above, I've inserted an American Crafts 6X12 page protector (for 4X6 photos) to include the story of me 'camping out on a sidewalk' to try to get 2 of the boys into the new charter school in our district.

Above, is the back of the insert. I've included a newspaper article about the campout, a photo of the line from my perspective, and another photo I found at the start of the line. . .sorry about the glare -I'll definitely be working on correcting that. :)

Above, I've included a photo taken of the boys and I strolling through Disneyland (we played hookie) and another of B and I having breakfast on Main Street U.S.A. (I can't say 'Main Street U.S.A. without giggling and saying it loud and slow like the train conductor from the Disneyland Railroad! -lol!). Also shown are photos of B and the boys keeping busy playing games (board and video) while our furniture, entertainment center and living room TV were still packed away because of the broken water pipe in the adjacent wall. Lastly, more receipts, movie ticket stubs, product packaging and a journaling card have been added.

I love this project. It is sooooo easy to do. Just add photos and 'stuff' once a week. I've got a little spot on a countertop in my craft area where I collect 'stuff' I may add to the album and I download the photos to be used once a week. Super simple. AND I am still loving doing more creative, pretty pages about the stories I love best.
Hope you've enjoyed a peak at this project. . .I'll be catching up on the other weeks that I've completed, then I plan to post weekly throughout the year. Big goal for me, I know.
Well I'm heading out. . .gonna go for a walk. . .then put together the Valentine's projects I started yesterday. I'm hoping to get it posted tomorrow in the hopes of stirring up those creative juices in you for this weekend! :)
Hint: I'm using these. . . . .
See you soon!
love, lisa

Two Photo Printing Deals

2011-02-08T06:55:00.000-08:00

Just popping in to share a photo printing deal (or two) that I recently ran into. :)

First, I had 8X12 enlargements printed at Costco yesterday. They were only $1.49 each! Best of all, I ordered online and they were ready at the store in an hour!!! Yaaa! :)

Second, I was checking out my other favorite printing spots to find the best deal on other size prints when I stumbled across this:
ScrapbookPictures.com is offering 12X12 prints for $1.25! Whew-whew! I love this company. . .Their site was a little difficult to navagate initially. . .but once you get the hang of it. . .it's cake. :) Their prints are top-notch, customer service -awesome, and they always arrive quick and in perfect condition. Love them. . .Give 'em a try! :)

I have projects to post. . .so I hope to see you soon!

love, lisa

Dear Santa,

2010-12-22T09:15:00.000-08:00

I know it's last minute and all. . .but I thought I'd send you a Christmas wish list. You see, I've been verrrrrry good this year and realllly hope you plan on making a stop at my house.

Here is my 'Scrappy Wish List' from Studio Calico:

From Barnes & Noble:

Lastly, I would reeeeeaaaaallllly love a gift card from any of the following:

Collective Journey (LSS)
Barnes and Noble
Home Depot
Lowe's
Michael's
Starbucks
Best Buy

Thank you soooo much for reading my list Santa. I know you're a verrrry busy man. :)

love, lisa

Christmas Greetings Wreath

2010-12-18T13:15:00.000-08:00

I love Christmas Cards. :) Love making them and definitely receiving them. I usually place them in some sort of wire basket on our coffee table. . .but nothing really special. I've looked for holiday card displays in the past, but never found just the right one. The closest thing I found was one from Pottery Barn. . .but I couldn't bring myself to pay that much for a seasonal item.

Then I saw this craft on the Martha Stewart website a few weeks ago. Her wreath called for those adorable mini clothespins. . .but if you know me. . .mini isn't my thing. Big and rustic is right up my alley. :)

Here's how I put mine together:

Using an embroidery hoop as a base, add your clothespin size of choice (small, medium, or large) using hot glue. I used a 12 inch hoop (that I snatched up in a pile of sewing stuff that belonged to my Mom before she passed away. . .love using this sort of sentimental stuff to make things. . .it's a happy reminder of her each time I look at it). . .and of course I chose the large clothespins. You can add as many clothespins as you like, even alternating the direction they face. . .some in & some out (I chose all outward facing).

Next, I added a felt snowflake (that I found three for $1 in Target's ornament area) using some clear fishing line. This way it sorta looks like it's floating.

A strip of green twill ribbon and a push pin hold it up for display.

I put a few cards on it so you can see how it'll look.

This craft is fast and cheep. It was completed in about 10 minutes. And if I were to go out and buy the items to make it. . .it would total under $5 (vs. the Pottery Barn ones that I really do love. . .found here & here for $50-$70).

Hope your staying dry, finishing up your Christmas 'stuff', and making time for yourself to make some crafts! :)

love, lisa

Quick and Easy Gift Wrap

2010-12-17T19:14:00.000-08:00

Today I mailed off a few Christmas gifts. It was so easy! There were no lines, waiting, or hassle. Just in and out. Amazing!
Anyway, I thought that if you had some small gifts to send you may like to see the Gift Wrap I used. They were super-simple to make. Best of all they didn't add much weight or bulk to my shipment, which is always a plus. :)

Here's how they were done:

Cut, ink, and adhere decorative paper to front of bag
Adhere felt snowflake (I used Fabri Tac Glue)
Add glittery initial
Punch holes through top of bag & feed twine through. Then tie off with a button or other embellishment

The products I used:

Bags - 7gypsies

DP - Graphic 45

Buttons and Twine - Papertrey Ink

Glitter Stickers - Making Memories

Ink - ColorBox

Adhesives - Fabri Tac & Glue Dots

Felt snowflakes - *These were a total steal! I found these at Target in the Christmas ornament section. They were sold in a group of three for $1!!! I simply cut off the string that was supposed to be used to hang them with. . .and ta-duh!* That's like 33 cents each!! :) Gotta love a craft deal :)

Anyway. . .you could use anything really. . .that's another great thing about these. I'm thinking of making something similar using chocolate brown envelopes that I have stashed. . .we'll see. :)

Thanks for stopping in! Hope to see you soon.

love, lisa

Holiday Teachers Gifts

2010-12-17T09:07:00.000-08:00

So last night while I was frantically cleaning up the house before going to bed, I realized that I hadn't yet made Holiday Gifts for the kids teachers. . .and I needed them for today.
I love creating for those that give so much to my kids and my family. . .and always wish that we could do more. So, although I was beat, I pulled up a chair and started brainstorming. . .but the 'storm' was more like a 'drizzle'. My mojo was already in bed asleep. I was soooo tired I felt like crying. And at that moment an image popped into my head. I remembered seeing a super-cute gifty gift on Michelle Wooderson's blog (I'm a big fan of her creations). I whipped open my computer and looked it up. After totally scrap-lifting her basic idea. . .this is what I ended up with.

It's a glassine bag with the bottom folded up and sewn on 3 sides to make a pocket. After decorating it and adding a gift card and chocolate squares, the top was folded over (like an envelope) and tied closed with a green ribbon. I added a homemade tag and called it good. :)

I really like this, considering it was made last minute :) Thank goodness for Michelle and her crafty wisdom. . .I totally give her credit for saving me on this one! :)

A second thing that saved me last night, was the stockpile of basic holiday greetings I had created for last minute gifts.

I ended up grabbing 3 of these cards, a starbucks gift card for each, and several Ghiradelli Peppermint Bark Squares to make quick gifts for the Security Staff at the High School. They are in charge of the morning traffic at the school. . .and do an AWESOME job. I always feel like a giant jet coming in for a landing, with the Security Staff using their hand signals to control the flow and direction of both car and pedestrian traffic. . .they really handle things over there. . .and with a smile on their face to boot! :)

Anyway. . .my oldest was MORTIFIED that I was going to roll down my window and pass the holiday greeting cards out. . .so I ended up making 2 passes today in order to give them. :)

I HIGHLY recommend having something like this on hand. These are basic 4 1/4 square cards with Jillibean Soup Journaling Sprouts (LOVE these) on the front. I then took a simple sentiment and stamped it in green on the front. . .and another (Happy Holidays) stamp on the inside. They are simple and universal. . .good for just about any last minute gift you may need.

I hope that your holiday plans are beginning to come together. Mine are. . .but very slowly. We finally have a Christmas Tree and we are starting to replace the items in our home that were displaced due to the broken pipes in the bathroom. Hopefully by the end of the day. . .our home will look more like a home. . .and feel a little more 'Christmas-y'. :)

love, lisa

Ho Ho Ho!!

2010-12-05T15:54:00.000-08:00

Shwuuuu! There's a lot going on around here. We had 2 pipes break in our master bathroom. It also affected our master bedroom and living room which are on each side. With contractors in and out, and a post-Christmas completion date, it's been crazy. Making time for crafting has been difficult. I've been keeping up with my December Daily album that I *LOVE* doing every year, but not much else.
Last night I needed a break. I set everything else that should have been done aside and sat down in the craft zone. With limited time, I knew just where to turn. I used images from the Crafty Nomad, printed right off my computer, to create this cute (I think) card. :)

I simply pulled the 'Holly' image and the 'Ho Ho Ho' sentiment up in Photoshop, added and/or changed the colors, and printed. Fast and easy. LOVE IT!! :) You gotta love 'gettin it done'. :)

You'll see DP from My Mind's Eye and Basic Grey, lots of layers, inking, twine, and some fun Martha Stewart glitter. . .(love the stuff because it's thick and chunky!) :) Can't wait to send this card out! :)

Thanks for stopping in. I'll be sharing my December Daily pages soon. . .would love to have you check back in.

love, lisa

Warm Winter Wishes & Glitter!

2010-11-22T07:54:00.000-08:00

Wow! It's been a looooong time since I made something with glitter. I recently saw a post on the CARDS blog that mentioned using glitter on your cards. . .and I thought. . .hmmm. . .that could be kinda fun! :) So, here is a card I whipped up for the occasion:

This was soooo much fun to make! Initially I used the Essential Glue Pad to adhere the glitter. . .but unfortunately it didn't take as well as I had hoped (probably user error) :) So, I switched to my handi-dandi Fabri-Tac (awesome for EVERYTHING). . .which was perfect! I inked it all up and added a few layers. . .and finally added a 'Winter wishes' banner-thing-a-ma-bob. . .and tuh-duh!!! -This is what I ended up with. :)
Recipe:
CS: Stampin' Up!
DP: Pink Paislee
Stamp: Papertrey Ink
Dies: My Favorite Things & Spellbinders
Chipboard: Maya Road
Glitter: Judi Kins
Ink: ColorBox & StazOn
Brads: Tim Holtz
Corner Rounder: We R Memory Keepers

Thanks so much for swinging by!! See you soon!
love, lisa

Studio Calico November Kit Layout

2010-11-17T16:47:00.000-08:00

This LO was destined to be created sooner or later -LOL! My youngest son is a crack-up!! His 'quirk' has our entire family rolling on a daily basis.
Bless his little heart, the poor thing continuously contradicts himself. . .and it's turned into quite the show over here. Hopefully, he'll out grow this quirk before he realizes that we are laughing at him. . .I'd definitely have to reel in the other troops before any feelings got hurt. :)
The LO is made using 99% Studio Calico November kit. . .1% 'other' :). I've included a mftstamps.com die, a Papertrey Ink die, CC tiny type letters, and maybe a Heidi Swapp crown transparency (the blue crown - it was an older item I'd been hoarding). :)
Here are some close ups:

I've used a Papertrey Ink die to cut out the center, outlined it with black ink, and filled it in with the title using Cosmo Cricket tiny type letters.

This little banner was made using a My Favorite Things die cut from several papers, and then machine sewn to the page.

I've added just a few of Nathan's statements for memory's sake. . .that is why we scrapbook right?? ;) The initial statements are tacked down with mini glue dots. . .and the follow up statement (his contradictory) are secured with foam squares so that they 'pop' up off the page. :)

Lastly, a photo of my little knucklehead with his crown on! :) Love you buddy!

That's it for now. I'm off to add things to my etsy shop. . .and complete a couple of scrappy challenges. :)
See ya next time!

love lisa

The Holidays Are Approaching

2010-11-12T16:46:00.000-08:00

It's time to start holiday crafting! So, get out your favorite supplies and get cracking! If you are looking for a fun-fresh way to incorporate some new supplies. . .I have an option for you. Check out the digital stamp sets available at the Crafty Nomad. I was recently given the opportunity to preview and create with these lovely Holiday images! What a treat! They are so easy to use. . and to have them stored on my computer desktop vs. my physical crafting desktop is a plus! :) Please swing by Jo's blog and shop to see her amazing work.
Here is one of the projects I created with her set:

Isn't that angel darling!!! I simply cut out 4 pieces of paper (peach cardstock for her skin, plus the gold, green, and red stripe) to about 4.25 X 5.5 each. I then adhered them to a plain piece of printer paper using a temporary adhesive (the 4 pieces of paper cover the 8 1/2 X 11 paper perfectly). With my paper ready to go, I set up a project in PSE so that this sweet little angel would print out four times. . .once on each DP. Easy-Peasy! :)

Once the digital image was printed on each of my papers, I started to fussy-cut them. I cut the wings and shoes out of the gold paper. The dress out of the green paper. The hymn book from the striped red paper. And finally the hair, face and hands from the peach paper. Once, that was done I simply pieced her back together and colored her hair and mouth with a few Copic markers. I also cut out the halo and added some Pink Paislee glitter to it.

The final step to this project was to adhere her with dimensional foam square to a green glittery music sheet paper, add buttons, and a black frame.

I love how this turned out. . . and can't wait to display her once the Christmas Holiday rolls around.

Thanks for stopping in! More Crafty Nomad projects are in the works. . .so come back soon! :)

love, lisa

Finally. . .Scrap-Zone Photos

2010-11-12T16:09:00.000-08:00

I am still trying to get used to my newly cleaned scrap-zone. Things are all 'put away'. . .and I'm really used to having all of the scrappy goodness surround me. I even had to open up all of the cupboards yesterday while I made something. . .just to remind me that I still have lots of good stuff. . .it's just put away vs. . .hanging out with me in 'the zone'. :)
Let me remind you of my old ways:

The picture above is funny to me now. . .LOL!. . .mainly because I really was comfortable crafting like this! :)

Now a few pics of the cleaned-up, new version:

BIG difference huh!! :) You would be amazed to see all of the 'stuff' I got rid of and donated. There sure was a lot.
Here are some shots of where I put it all. . .so you can see that I still have 'stuff'. . .it's just hidden. :)

O.K. These are the upper cabinets from left to right. Above you can see the first one. It stores some sewing, knitting and crocket, and paint supplies.

Next, I have LOTS of chipboard albums and stuff that's waiting to be tweaked, loose ribbon - lace - etc, my Big Shot Machine, all of my dies, a postal box full of Jillibean Soup Sprout (love them!), and a small stash of felt - cork -metal. . .etc. that I hope to send through my die cut machine real soon. :)

Above I've posted 3 pictures of my stamp cupboard. This is a really big deal because I used to store stamps in a double-wide cupboard vs. this little single one. The top shelf has a bunch of random ATC stuff. The middle has some Unity stamp sets, Technique Tuesday sets (mainly Ali Edwards), and the green shoe boxes are filled with my favorite wooden stamps. The lowest shelf has a wire basket filled with all of the clear stamps that I love (except for the Papertrey Ink sets, which are on my desk). I also have some ink pads stored there.

Above, you can see that I have totally random markers and stuff I rarely use (top shelf), followed by idea and submissions binders, a box of mists, a tub of adhesive, and two green fabric totes. The two totes hold all of the embellishments I currently have. . .I really had to down-size to get them to fit.

The photo above shows you one of my favorite areas. :) It's filled with envelopes, different style bags, clothespins, wood items, boxes, and containers of all sorts. The middle shelf has a set of old berry trays that are wood with a metal frame. . .LOVE those! I like to call this my 'gifting cupboard'. :)

This is where I sit and make stuff. Thankfully I have a clear desk protector on it. . .or I'd be in BIG trouble with the mister! :)

The desktop. . .from left to right. . .has an old wire dish drying rack that I put some completed items in. And the all important Craft Fund jar.

Here are my favorite Papertrey Ink clear stamp sets, favorite alphas (EK Success Antique Typewriter & Studio Calico 'Noah'), as well as a few custom stamps. I also have an old cupcake tin that I use to fill with seasonal 'stuff' (although it's alot more full now than it was when I snapped this shot) :) Above on the rail system I have some nic-nacs. . .knick-knacks?? . . .anyway, some 'stuff' :) that is special to me. I just wanted to point out the Mother's Day finger painting frame (it says a lot of nice stuff about me -he-he!), and the little brown frame. . .it houses a scrap of fabric that is from a quilt my parents used ALL THE TIME when I was a kid.

You can also see my $20 iHome speaker for my iPod. . .BEST $20 I ever spent! and frequently used pens, pencils, markers, and copics. . . oh, and that little banner was used for a background when I applied for a Jillibean Soup Guest Design Team Spot (featured March 2010). :) I just love it. :)

I've also got a spinney-caddy-thingy. . .filled with different scissors, bone folders, filing tools, exacto knife-like things :) and a basket of buttons. . .If you know me. . .you know I use a lot of buttons. :)

**Hope I'm not boring you** You may want to refill you coffee. . .LOL! I'll confess. . .I'm cutting out sugar and I just snuck away to gobble up a caramel Ghirardelli Square!! I feel terrible about cheating. . .but wow! -Am I ever pumped up to finish this post! :)

The double desk where I craft also has some really functional drawers. Above I have file folders containing stuff I grab all the time and a bin of punches.

Hand and little punches, some distressing inks, tiny attacher, big bite, lots of clear stamp blocks, adhesive removers, erasers, ruler, favorite journaling pens, sanding block, eyelet puncher. . .and some other common tools.

Above are three pictures of the vertical drawers the seperate the two desk areas. From top to bottom, I have tags and office supplies, circle cutters - mats - brayers - crimper - grommet setter - and label maker, and a drawer of little chipboard elements.

This is the space behind me. . .and I'll try to be quick :)

I know. . .I know. . .the last one is sideways. I tried to fix it. . .but it just really insists on being on its side. :) So, I'm gonna just let it be. The three shots above show: 1. A cupboard with photos, an old button tin (from my great-great grandmother), and a few remaining cropper hopper doo-dads with chipboard and random stuff in them. 2. A cupboard with a 12 X 12 cardstock tub, a tub of 'letters' . . .yes, I'm an American Crafts 'Thickers' addict. . .with Cosmo Cricket and October Afternoon letters following right behind on my favs list. My cricket machine, some wrapping supplies, and spools of PTI ribbon in the way back. #3 In the sideways photo -lol! I have a stash of 8 1/2 X 11 cardstock, scrap DP, idea books & mags, the Bind-It-All machine & supplies and a few more random items. :)

Next to two albums I'm currently working on. . .I have a basket of 'in progress' projects.

***Now this may be the BIGGEST change of all. Being a self-proclaimed PAPER-HOARDER. . .I knew that a change had to be made. I found this lovely little 12X13X14 wire basket at a local shop and new it would be a perfect solution to my paper problems. I now have all my DP stashed in here, organized by manufacturer. I have told myself that if it fits in here. . .I can have it. :) (If not, get to scrappin' lady so you can buy it soon! -LOL!) :) I really love it.

And that's it! Talk about a weight lifted!! I love walking through the hall and not stepping/kicking my crafty stuff and shipping boxes. It's so nice. And although I feel like I got rid of sooooo much. . .and have nothing. . .I can sit back and 'see' that I still have a ton of stuff. . .and know that it's not how much you have. . .but the magic you create with it.

love, lisa

Halloween Treats

2010-11-03T09:54:00.000-07:00

Before I get to these little treats. . .I'd like to say that an update of my 'clean-er' :) scrap-zone is on its way. I tried to get 'tech-y' and video the results. . .but editing just that portion off the recorder hasn't gone well. So, I'm gonna take some pics, and post them as soon as possible. :)

Here are Halloween Treats I whipped up for two of the little girls I sometimes get to watch.

*We grew all of these pumpkins!! :) . . .and are sooo excited about it!

Recipe:

Glassine Bags - Papertrey Ink

Kraft Tags

Clothes Pins

Orange Cardstock - Stampin' Up!

Halloween Paper - From Scrap Stash

Buttons - Papertrey Ink

Twine - Studio Calico

Glue Dots

Stamps - Papertrey Ink, EK Success

Ink - Stampin' Up!

And a Hershey Bar :)

Well, that's it for now. I'm off to start uploading pictures and stories to my Family Blog (I have been M.I.A. September and October and have a LOT to share) :)

Thanks for stopping in!! See ya soon! :)

love, lisa

Craft Zone Clean-Up. . .Coming Soon :)

2010-10-21T13:28:00.000-07:00

I know that this is going to sound crazy. . .mainly because I'm a self-proclaimed paper-hoarder and a very messy-scrapper. . .but there is a huge clean-up going on in my craft zone. I have spent more than 2 weeks going through all of my crafty stuff and trying to decided if they are 'keep, donate, sell, or throw' items. It has been harder than I thought. . .and truth be told. . .there are a lot of 'maybe' piles too.
Here is the BEFORE photo (don't laugh):

This is soooo embarassing. I have just been a 'spread it all out so I can see it all' kinda girl for so long. The countertop on the opposite side is equally as bad. :( But. . .changes are in the works. :)

I'll be posting photos tomorrow of my new and improved scrapping-grounds. :) Wish me luck!!

love, lisa

Thank You Cards

2010-09-13T11:44:00.000-07:00

Hi there! :)
I hope you had a happy-scrappy weekend! I am pretty pleased that I snuck in a little crafty time among the busy days that we had planned around here. I made enough projects to post at least one a day. . .all week! That's big for me considering the schedule I'm currently holding down. Here is a set of thank you cards I made for my 9 year old son to send out. I'm lovin' stars again. . .so prepare to see a lot of them on my upcoming projects :)

And here's a little close up:

I started with my fave. . .a square kraft card base, and then inked and add the cute cloud pattern paper (Studio Calico). The striped pattern paper (October Afternoon) was added after using a notebook style border punch (EK Success) and a little more ink (ColorBox).

Next, I used my circle dies (Spellbinders), kraft colored cardstock (Stampin' Up!) and orange-ish colored pattern paper (My Mind's Eye) to create a focal point for my stamped sentiment.

You can kinda see it starting to come together above. These layers were also inked before I used a thank you stamp (Papertrey Ink) and timber brown ink (StazOn) for the sentiment. The buttons are all from Papertrey Ink.

This is where the true 'me' comes out a little bit. :) I love stars and polka-dots. . .and I finally broke down and purchased the Fiskars extra large star punch. I LOVE IT!! Each star is punched out using more of the October Afternoon paper and inked up a little. To 'personalize' it *which is another FAVORITE element of mine* I used some coordinating scraps from my stash and punched out small circles. I inked the edges, then stamped my son's initials on them. The initialled circles were attached to the stars using my tiny attacher. Then, I used foam squares to adhere them to the card fronts and to add a layer of dimension.

The insides of the cards were finished off with the some more My Mind's Eye pattern paper that I used on the front. The edges were all inked and I stamped a strip of stars :) along the bottom.

Before I completed the cards, I roughed up the notebook edged papers to give them a more 'ripped right outta a notebook look' :)

That's it! I really love how the set turned out. . .and if you were a loved one that sent my dear 9 year old a card or gift. . .keep an eye on your mailbox. . .'cuz they're going out today! :)

love, lisa

Summer Fun

2010-08-27T09:06:00.000-07:00

Here are two LO's I created using Pebbles' Tree House collection. I love the fun colors ... and they are so 'little dude friendly'. :)

Lots of layers, inking, stitching, stickers, die cuts and chipboard. . . .I like the piled on goodness! :) -LOL!

These bubbles are actually the centers of the flowers cut out from the DP strip on top. . .see it?? I covered them with glitter to make them look shimmery like bubbles. :)

Thanks for stopping in. I don't know about you. . .but I am really looking forward to getting my scrap on this weekend! :) Happy Friday!!

love, lisa

Quick Post & A Note. . .

2010-08-09T22:36:00.000-07:00

*Edit: It's Thursday morning. . .and I'm back and ready to let my creative juices do their thing. :) Thank you for your understanding while I took a short break to take care of myself. Also, thank you for your kind comments and sweet emails sent about my son Chase. . .You all rock! :) XOXOXO. Look for a new post featuring a few projects this afternoon. ;) Thanks.

love, lisa

Hi there! :) I just wanted to do a real quick post to show you. . . 1) a couple of Thank You cards I made today & 2) to let you know that I will be taking a few days off from posting here on the blog.

Here are the Thank you's I whipped up:

Recipe:

CS: Stampin' Up

DP: Echo Park

Punches and Dies: Martha Stewart (butterflies), Fiskars (threading water), My Favorite Things (label)

Stamp & Cork: My Favorite Things

Ink: Ranger Distress Ink

Pearls: Kaisercraft

(These are more masculine because they are for my oldest son to give out) :)

Recipe:

CS: Stampin' Up!

DP: Studio Calico Kit (My Mind's Eye)

Ink: StazOn

Dies: Spellbinders

Stamp: Studio Calico

The Yummiest Burnt Orange Gathered Scallopy Velvet Ribbon: Maya Road :)

Other: Tim Holtz Tiny Attacher

All of the cards were made for some very special people that we owe BIG Thank You's to. We are so lucky to have such wonderful people in our lives that so often do kind things for us.

Second, I'm gonna be taking a few days off from the blog world. It's the 5th Anniversay of the passing of our Sweet Baby Chase (this Friday). . .With that said, I've been super-emotional. I think that I just need to take some time away and allow myself to grieve for him. *But I'll be back. . .promise! :)

Here are a few pics I'd like to share:

Kyle, Chase and Cody in San Francisco 2005.

Cody, Chase & Kyle - Christmas 2004

My Sweet Baby. . .Chase. We all MISS and LOVE you sweet boy!

Have a good week/weekend everyone.

love, lisa

Summer Lovin' Mini Album

2010-08-04T20:10:00.000-07:00

Hi there! I have been hard at work completing a summer project that is about 80% finished now. I'm very happy with the way it's turning out and can't wait until I'm able to share it with you. :)

Last night I took a break from 'my big project' and decided to put together this little Summer Lovin' mini album. I love how it turned out! I love. . .well. . .the 'orange' used throughout (total fav!), the 'list style' on the pages inside, and the fact that I was able to include lots of little pics within.

I really don't believe that it's always most important to have the fanciest layouts, or only use the newest products, or spend a ton of time trying to get it 'just right'. What is important is to get the story, images and memories documented. . .with a touch of your favorite products to spice it up a little. This little album does just that. . .I can't wait to see people flip through it! :)

Here are a few photos:

You can see that I have placed journaling on both the left and right sides of the 'notebook' paper. In between, you can thumb through a bunch of my favorite photos the fit within each category.

I used lots of layers and punches (always a fav) to create the cover. I think that the chalk distress ink really helps give it dimension.

**Tip: I love 'hiding' little secret messages, or symbolic 'stuff' on my layouts. On the cover, I did this by intentionally punching out a portion of DP that had a '3' and '4' on it. As soon as I saw it, I thought about my children. I now have 3 sons. . .but really have 4. . .counting Chase, who passed away 5 years ago, next week. Being that my eyes were instantly drawn to this, I knew that it had to be included. Now, I will forever know a 'little secret' about this album that not everyone will see/understand. It simply helps to personalize my creations. . .and I love doing it. :)

I really love the peek-a-boo style albums (this one is from Jenni Bowlin Studio). They are so fun to use. For this book I chose to cover the heart shaped hole so that the smaller photos/pages inside didn't show through.

In this last photo you can see that there really are a lot of little photos squooshed in between each category/reason. I took kraft paper, cut it down to 3 X 3 1/2, rounded the corners, adhered the pictures, lined-up and punched holes for the rings to go through, and finally inked the edges with distress ink.

You could totally do this too! :)

Recipe:

Album: Jenni Bowlin Studio

DP: Scribble Scrabble, Fancy Pants

Punches: Fiskars, Stampin' Up

CS: Stampin' Up

Alpha Stickers: October Afternoon

Button: Papertrey Ink

Bakers Twine: Studio Calico

Ink: Ranger, ColorBox

Thanks for looking!

love, lisa

We're Back. . .

2010-07-29T09:03:00.000-07:00

We spent the last couple days down at the beach. Now that we're back I'm gonna sift through the photos I took and have a scrappy day! {insert the sound of crowds cheering!} :) I can't wait! Hopefully I can find a few good pics. . . .the boys were cracking themselves up the entire trip. . .and I got a lot of shots like the one above! :)

See you soon with the projects I come up with today!

love, lisa

A Little More 'Welcoming'

2010-07-24T15:03:00.000-07:00

My front door is looking a little more 'welcoming' these days with the added touch of this little sign.

(I never noticed before that our screen door is crooked -LOL!)

Here's a close-up:

I just LOVE the Pebbles papers used on this project. They are so fun and happy! I have 3 more projects using the same line waiting in the wings. :)

For this one, I up-cycled some cardboard packaging and created the rectangular shape at the top. I used Pebbles paper to cover it, painted the edges, added a strip of lacey stuff, popped another sheet of Pebbles paper in my Cricut machine to cut out 'welcome', and finally added two little chipboard pieces. Super easy!

The watermelon started off as a 6 1/2 in chipboard piece that I sliced down the middle. Next I gathered coordinating Pebbles papers, cut lots of them into 3 1/2 by 3/4 in strips, folded them in half -without creasing them -and tacked on a mini glue dot. Lastly, I got out the ol' glue gun and went to town! :) It was sooo much fun! (except for a few burned fingers) :)

I pieced the whole contraption together using some thick hemp twine. . .and tah-duh! :) -A very cheery, summer welcome sign that you could make too!

Thanks for stopping in! See ya Monday. . . :)

love, lisa

Hi There

2010-07-22T08:25:00.000-07:00

I have a confession to make. I'm a paper hoarder. I have a super-bad habit of loving my paper so much that I won't use it. I'll pile it up all around my craft area just so I can stare at it. It just makes me feel good to be surrounded by all of the paper-y goodness. . .and it puts a smile on my face. :) (I'm a dork, I know!) :)

These Pebbles papers are no exception. I finally cut into them. . .and let me tell you. . .it was hard! I am especially in LOVE with this paper:

Now, if I could only convince them to make it in a fabric so that I could make a cloud quilt to wrap myself in. . .I'd be set! -LOL!

Here is a fun little card I made for Club CK Summer Camp using products from the Pebbles Tree House line. Aren't those owls the cutest! I spotted these little guys on the bottom 'discard' area of the paper where they put their product information....Can you believe all of their papers have extra special little strips like these?! And they aren't a pic of what the pattern on the backside is. . .it's completely different! Awesome! I'm definitely gonna have to play with these papers again soon! :)

Well, I hate to post and run. . .but I promised the boys I'd take them to the park to play and have a picnic today. So, I've gotta run and gather up the goods. :)

Have a great day!

love, lisa

My Friend

2010-07-21T14:39:00.000-07:00

I love banners. I know the 'trend' has been around a while. . .but I
still love them. I love them on LO's, cards, and hanging in my house (I hang seasonal banners in my living/dining room area 24-7). They just make me so darn happy! :)

This layout was for a Club CK Summer Camp assignment. . .and I thought it was right up my alley. I had soooo much fun making it. . .and I am very happy with how it turned out. The banner is made using October Afternoon and Jillibean Soup DP. . .along with orange baker's twine from Studio Calico and buttons from my good ol' Rusty Pickle (RIP) stash. To get their shape I used the MFT scalloped scallop die snipped into sections and inked up with Maya Road Metallic Blue ink pad. I think it looks 'super-HAPPY!'

Recipe:

CS: Bazzill

DP: October Afternoon, Jillibean Soup

Ink: Maya Road (Metallic Blue), Ranger (Broken China & Spiced Marmalade)

Die: My Favorite Things

Punch: EK Success

Stamps: Studio Calico (alpha), Papertrey Ink (stars)

Chipboard Letteres (title): The Girls' Paperie

Other: Tim Holtz Tiny Attacher, Trim

I love this picture of Nathan and Malia. We were at our garden just after we built our raised beds. . .and Malia REALLY wanted to check it out. I told her that we hadn't planted much yet. . .but she still wanted to go. The two of them had the best afternoon together!! They ran, and hid, and laughed for a looong time. Before we left, I asked them to pose for a quick picture a Malia wrapped her arms around my Natey without hesitation. They were sooooo cute that day. I love them to pieces. . .and hope they will always be good friends. :)

love, lisa

High 5

2010-07-20T08:39:00.000-07:00

Last weekend I finished up participating in Club CK's Summer Camp Activities. One of the 'merit badges' that you could earn was for Fire Safety. The assignment was to use heat embossing on a layout (LO) or card (apparently without burning down your house -lol!) :) I added the number '5' all over the banner pattern paper on the left side of the LO. It was soooo much fun! The excitement I had watching the powder shrivel up and shine was CRAZY....I was cracking up!! I will definitely do this again.
Here's the LO:

Next, is a little better shot of one of the no. 5's I heat embossed:

I wish that you could have seen the powder heat up!! :) It was like magic!! ;) I totally felt like a kid making shrinky-dinks for the first time!! :)

Anyway...

We ended up off roading to this location on Father's Day after having a delicious breakfast at The Red Kettle in Idyllwild. The day was filled with lots of cool sights. . .I'm SURE you'll be seeing more LO's scrapped about that day. :)

The photo is of Cody and Brett giving each other a 'high 5' at the top of a rock pile they climbed. To be perfectly honest, it was a doosey! Brett had to coax our fearless Cody up! I was so glad that they completed this together. . .a big trust builder.

Recipe:

CS: Bazzill

DP & Die Cut: The Girls' Paperie

Cork & Scallop Die: My Favorite Things

Alphas: Lush Basics by My Mind's Eye

Candy Dots: Pebbles

Stamp: Studio Calico

Clear Embossing Ink: Stampendous

Embossing Powder: Stampendous

Other: Glue Dots, Black American Crafts Pen, Red Thread

That's it for today! Happy crafting friends!! :)

love, lisa

Toot, Toot!

2010-06-07T08:53:00.000-07:00

Yep. That's me tooting my horn. :) I was pretty excited to see one of my layouts posted on the Noel Mignon Layouts blog this morning!! Talk about a surprise!!! Click here if you'd like to go check it out! :)

love, lisa

My Paper Playground by Lisa Westphal

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u r amazing

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Howdy Partner!

Scrappy Nerd. . .

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Love You Because {Part 1}

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Dear Santa,

Christmas Greetings Wreath

Quick and Easy Gift Wrap

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Ho Ho Ho!!

Warm Winter Wishes & Glitter!

Studio Calico November Kit Layout

The Holidays Are Approaching

Finally. . .Scrap-Zone Photos

Halloween Treats

Craft Zone Clean-Up. . .Coming Soon :)

Thank You Cards

Summer Fun

Quick Post & A Note. . .

Summer Lovin' Mini Album

We're Back. . .

A Little More 'Welcoming'

Hi There

My Friend

High 5

Toot, Toot!

Sneak Creative Scrappers Reveal

Come Shop With Me

October Afternoon Sneak Peek