Sweet Summertime - Lemonade Stand

I was a lucky winner of the Little Yellow Bicycle Sweet Summertime collection. It was perfect for these photos of my girls and their impromptu lemonade stand.  Wanna hear how I won? Little Yellow Bicycle had posted a photo of a bicycle on their Facebook page and did a random drawing of everyone who guessed what town the photo was taken in. They actually had to run the contest twice because no one got it right the first time.  The first day, I guessed Cape Cod but little did I know that Cape Cod is not a town; it's an area made up of little towns. After digging around for a few minutes on day 2 of the contest and looking at all the clues, I figured that out ... so did 1 other gal but I was the lucky winner!

Anyway, I used their sweet line for this week's Sketchy Thursdays design team reveal.

Supplies: Little Yellow Bicycle Sweet Summertime Collection - Sunshine/Summertime Stripe, Watermelon Hopscotch/Blue Skies, Summer Garden/Lime Stripe, Lemonade Stand/Lemon Drop, Clear Cuts - Shapes with glitter, Cardstock Favorite Pieces Stickers with glitter and buttons, Crepe Paper Lace Stickers, Fabric Favorites - Self Adhesive, Fresh Verse Stickers with debossing, Glue Arts Glue Pro Adhesive, Zig Marker in Black .5mm

For my journaling, I felt that layout was too busy to add even more elements. So I made it so that the journaling strips could be tucked in a little pocket. I used little stickers to pull them in and out.  Here's the sketch that this layout is based on.

 Make sure to stop by Sketchy Thursdays to see what the rest of the design team did with this sketch. Don't forget to play along with us this week for a chance to win a great giveaway from Crop Stop!

Christmas in July - Gingerbread Banner & Magic Reindeer Food

I’ve been working on Christmas in July for the new Imaginisce Santa’s Little Helper collection. I have to admit it’s been a little challenging to think about Christmas when it’s 100+ degrees here in Texas but on the other hand, I’ll be ahead of the game with some of my decorations and such, at least a little.


I made several projects for this release but today I am showing you a banner I made using a fabulous Clear Scraps acrylic banner I got at CKC recently and some magic reindeer food for my girls and some of their friends.

Gingerbread House/Gingerbread Man Banner

 Magic Reindeer Food

Thanks for looking today. Make sure to stop by the Imaginisce blog and leave a comment over there to be in the running to win 1 of 3 Santa's Little Helper collections they are giving away!

UPDATE: I used are upcycled Close to My Heart containers. It's the containers that the ribbon spools, My Accents embellishments and little craft jars come in, at least they did a few years ago; not sure if they still do. ;)  You could also use Crystal Light containers and I think SRM Stickers sells some long clear tubes.

Surf, Sand y Mi Cabana

I've been debating whether or not to try out for the American Crafts 2011-2012 design team. One of the items needed to apply for the team is an altered project. I honed in on the Mexican aspect of the Margarita collection and turned this little wooden gazebo into a cabana. 

For the cabana, I painted it all different colors (because every wall in the house in the movie Fools Rush In were different colors). Then I used red raffia for the thatch roof. I trimmed the rest out with paper from the Margarita and Hello Sunshine collection. I added the Bienvenidos tag to complete the cabana to welcome out guests!

I used the Just Write journaling cards as the floor inside the cabana. I also used other Just Write cards to fussy cut the margarita and flowers out of. The umbrella/flowers in the Cha Cha pattern paper looked like drink umbrellas to me so I cut one out and threaded the margarita straw through it.

The last little details included stringing laterns up all around the cabana (you can see the laterns through the cabana if you look closely). Oh and since my cabana is nestled on the beach overlooking crystal blue waters I added sand to the floor.

So, who would like to be my first guest?

Supplies: American Crafts Margarita Collection - Cha Cha Paper 35428, Santo Domingo Paper 35430, Empanada Paper 35429, Just Write Journaling Cards, Long Variety Tags; Hello Sunshine Collection - Brilliance Paper 35415, Glow paper 35408, Fanciful paper 35394

I also used these yummy American Crafts lines for my reveal at The Studio this week, which happens to be my last reveal for my term with them.  We have a really great sketch challenge going on over there this week.There are so many fun papers and elements in these collection and it's perfect for our recent beach pics.

Supplies: American Crafts: Hello Sunshine - Kraft 35398, Dandy 35397; Margarita Paper Series - Merengue 35438, Aruba Glitter Finish 35425, Variety Buttons Elements, Printed Long Variety Tags Bits, Cabana Details, Blue Iguana and Melon Varnish Pattern Thickers, Paradise Remarks Dimensional Stickers, Just Write Cards; City Park collection - Mountain Park paper

I had a lot of fun playing with dimension for this layout. I cut the squares out sporadically from the pink paper and then cut a second set of some of them and popped them up but what I love the most is the cut out round border strip. The brown kraft paper was hand-cut and popped up over the round circle-doos. Then I added the drops of water to reflect the splashes of water.

I incorporated my journaling with my title because the rest of the layout already had so much going on with it. Thanks for looking today.

Boo!

Today was my first design team reveal over at Birds of a Feather. It also marks the start of a Housewarming Crop to welcome the new design team.  There are many different challenges going on over there all weekend so make sure to play along and of course tell them I sent ya!  One of the challenges I am leading is called "Que Dirty". It's aptly named after my great aunt. When all the grandkids were home for the holidays we used to get together and play board games and cards. It was soooo much fun (miss it!). Anywho, when we would beat Aunt Minga she would say "QUE DIRTY" meaning we were cheating.  It picked up and I love to say it whenever I can!

Back to the challenge - get dirty with your layout, card, or altered project using paint, ink, mist, actual dirt, whatever. Here's my sample for the challenge - I used Mr. Hueys white mist, Jenni Bowlin "chili" paint dauber and Smooches black liquid ink and of course the rest of the supplies are from Birds of a Feather.

Supplies: Basic Grey Out of Print, House of Three, Coordinations Tim Holtz Cardstock

Now head over to the Hen House at Birds of a Feather, introduce yourself and join in the crop this weekend! You just might win some goodies over there!

Harvest Pumpkin Tutorial

I had several requests on the Imaginisce blog and my blog to show you how to make the pumpkins I created for the Imaginisce Happy Harvest release earlier this month so I put together this little tutorial for you.

Supplies:

• Clay pots in 3 different sizes - I went with the smallest one I could find and went up one size from there for the next two
• i-bond or other fast drying adhesive
• Petal Roller
• 1 - 2 sheets of Fall into Fun pattern paper
• 1 sheet Dancing Leaves pattern paper for the curly stems
• 1 sheet cardstock - I used Bazzill Navel
• Happy Harvest Die Cuts
• Twine
• Circle cutter/punch

Here's how to make them (click to enlarge or right click to download and save to your computer):

I can't wait to set these out this fall and fill them with candy for our visitors to enjoy!

'ello gov'na

Every time I get a new sketch from Sketchy Thursdays I remind myself how lucky I am to be on their design team and how much I adore all the gals over there!  I whipped this page together so quickly on the last morning of my scrappy getaway with Audrey this weekend because I was soooo inspired by this week's sketch! 

I got these papers on a recent trip to my in-laws.  I was passing through Scott, LA and stopped into Create 365 and immediately fell in love with the store and the owner, Amy, is a sweetheart. If you are ever passing through on I-10 you must stop by and tell her I sent ya.  In the meantime, make sure to follow her blog or Facebook and check out her online store.

Oh and today is the last day to VOTE for my Beat the Heat layout on the American Crafts Facebook page. You have to Like the American Crafts facebook page first and then go back and like my layout  I'm all tied up for 1st place so I'll take every vote I can get. And don't forget that I am paying it forward and doing my own American Crafts GIVEAWAY - details in the previous post.  You have until tomorrow morning at 9 ET to "Like" my layout.

Beat the Heat Again

It's so hot in Texas, I'm hoping that by reposting this layout that I enhanced today will help cool it down.  Unrealistic Optimist? There's another reason too...

Please "Like" Me...Okay, I'm not really that desperate but I am in the running over on the American Crafts Facebook page to win a complete collection of my choice plus $50 of AC cardstock.  The layout that is featured is the one I posted Sunday - Beat the Summer Heat.  In order for me to win I must have the most "LIKES" on my layout by 7/15 at 9 am.  If you are crafty and do not already follow American Crafts on Facebook, now's a good time...lotsa good inspiration over there!

After seeing the layout online I just had to go back to it and work on it a little more.  It just didn't feel complete.  Do you ever have layouts like that?  So, I added some white caps, like those I used to see growing up on Canyon Lake, I doodled with white around the aqua cardstock, I added more stitching to better hold the journaling tags and I moved the upper right flowers around.  NOW I am loving it!  Here's the revised layout, which unfortunately is not the one on the AC Facebook page but I'd love it if you'd Like it anyway!

Supplies: Kraft Cardstock, Mr. Huey Mist Orchard, American Crafts Margarita Collection - Empanadas Glitter Finish 35429, Horchata Varnish Finish 35432, Aruba Glitter Finish 35425, Santo Domingo 35430, Merengue 35438, Printed Long Variety Tags, Variety Buttons Elements, Paradise Remarks Dimensional Stickers, Signo White Pen, Misc Orange Embroidery Floss

GIVEAWAY!

If you can take like two minutes and "Like" my photo I would REALLY appreciate it.  Wait, that literally just made me think of something...I will pay forward the chance to win someting with you.  I think I'll put a little prize package together for everyone who "Likes" my layout over there and comments here about my layout as well.  What will it be? Definitely something made by American Crafts!!! So, you have until 7/15 at 9 am CT to participate.  And thanks for the many of you who already voted for me.  I will make sure you are included in the giveaway. Also, don't forget to play along with the Lazy Days of Summer challenge over at The Studio!

Here's some close-up shots that I didn't include in my precious post...

Beat the Heat

With Texas soaring into the 100+ temps lately, we have to find different ways to beat the heat without being couped up inside all day. We usually hit the pool but we were at my husband's father's house last weekend and he lives about a mile from the beach so we packed up the beach toys and spent our day there. 

We had a great time filling buckets with sand, making sandcastles, burying each other in the sand and just playing in the waves. What do you do on lazy summer days? Share your layout with us at The Studio for a chance to win a great prize!

 

 

As you can see I had "fun" fussy cutting the waves and layering them over each other with different dimensions.  I included hidden journaling behind the two pics on top by hand stitching lines to hold them in place and slidong the label tags behind the pics.  Thanks for looking, today! Now, pop over to The Studio to see how the other layout designers spend their lazy summer days.

 

Walk with Grandaddy

I am just loving how versatile this month's Scrapbook Circle kit is.  It's obviously great for anyone who has boys because of all the OA Rocket Age goodies but you know what?  I don't have boys and I am loving it so don't let it scare you. Make sure to check out the projects the other design team gals are sharing in the Idea Gallery.

We only make the road trip to my husband's home town once a year with the kids because it's such a long drive.  Technically it should only be 7 hours but it's been known to take 10 hours with 3 kids.  Anyway, we went over the 4th of July weekend a couple of years ago and we headed down to the beach to watch the city fireworks from afar since my oldest daughter can't take the noise.

I snapped this picture of her walking towards the ocean as the tide was going out.  And of course I got all the grand kids together for the group shot.  We may only make it there once a year but they love spending time with their grandaddy.

I used this week's Sketchy Thursdays sketch as inspiration and made little accordian half banners because they felt very Americana to me. I used the scraps leftover from the scallop punching to trim the journal spot and also to create some edging to the blue & red mat. 

Supplies from Scrapbook Circle Blast Off! kit: Crate Paper Toy Box Collection "Explore" paper, Simple Stories Book Work paper, Simple Stories Elementary Expressions Cardstock Stickers; October Afternoon Miscellany Pack - ribbon, buttons, chipboard, journal tag; White Bazzill 1/2 the Edge border. Not in kit: Kraft and Red Bazzil paper; homeade mist.

Make sure to play along with this week's Sketchy Thursdays sketch for your chance to win some scrapilicious goodies from Cozy Dog! Thanks for looking!

Meeting Buzz Aldrin

How cool is that??? I've been at my new job for a little over 4 months and the rewards have been amazing.  My CEO has deep relationships with lots of people in LA. I've met many celebrities and have been involved in some pretty amazing opportunities.  Here's a little background - I was my now boss' client for about 3 years when I joked about going to work for him.  A few months later I was at my first day on the job and I was at a cocktail reception at the City Club in downtown Los Angeles with Buzz Aldrin, among several others. 

I was having a cockatil when I spotted this glammed up older lady sitting at a table alone, while her husband was busy with the many people who kept coming up to talk to him.  I decided she needed some company.  I discovered that her name is Lois and she was dressed to the nines in her fur shaw, her swarovski crystals that were covering her manicured nails and bling like you wouldn't believe. We sat and drank wine together and really hit it off. She told me stories of her younger years. She told me the key to a happy and long marriage, like her 20+ years with Buzz. She also told me stories of how the younger ladies are hitting on her husband, who I learned was Buzz Aldrin.  She asked for my contact info because she thought I was "adorable".  We hit it off so well that I snapped some pictures of us.  She told me how she doesn't allow women to take pics with Buzz unless she's in the picture too.  It was quite comical.

She then grabbed Buzz and introduced me.  I really did want to meet him but I certainly didn't want to bother him. He was very nice. It ended up just being the 3 of us who shared a table that night.  If you were friends with me on Facebook at the time, you may have played the "guess who I'm sitting with game" where I snuck in some pics of his ring and gave fun little clues.  Here's the picture clue I gave. Pretty sneaky...Ha ha!

As the night ended, Lois offered to take a picture of me with Buzz ALONE.  She even took the picture.  Here is the layout I made reflecting on this fun little evening. This month's Scrapbook Circle Blast Off! kit was absolutely perfect for this! I treated the OA cards like they were 3 more photos completing the story, which really allowed me to use so many together without feeling like they were cluttering it up. Buzz was one of the first human beings to go to the moon, he is indeed considered a Space Ace, he actually used real moon shoes

Supplies from Scrapbook Circle Blast Off! July 2011 kit: October Afternoon Rocket Age Incoming Transmission paper, Miscellany Pack; Crate Paper Toy Box Imagine & Explore papers; Simple Stories Elementary Book Worm; Bazzill Cardstock (red); Simple Stories Elementary Expressions Cardstock Stickers; Scrapbook Circle Self Adhesive Cork Stars, Maya Road Crystal Star Pins, White Bazzill 1/2 the Edge

Did you know? Buzz and Neil Armstrong agreed that Neil would be the first to step on the moon and Buzz would be the first to walk on the moon.

P.S. Buzz filed for divorce from Lois in June...