Baby Love

Last week, I shared month 1 of my youngest daughter's baby album, as part of Operation Baby Album catch-up. You can see it HERE. FYI, it's one of my favorite layouts!

I have done some of their baby pages already but it doesn't hurt to create more, right? 

As I mentioned last week, these 12x12 layouts will have complimentary Pocket Pages so I can include more photos, lots more journaling, and special things I may want to save. With that said, let's take a look at month 2, created using Simple Stories Hello Baby collection.

You know when you are so inspired by the products that the pages just come together naturally? Yep, that's what happens every time I get Hello Baby out. This collection makes creating these baby pages a breeze. 

I had some leftover pieces from paper I cut out for the Month 1 layout I showed last week so I put them to use on this layout by creating a wide border at the bottom and smaller one at the top.

I adore the sentiments that are pre-printed on the papers. They are great to use them as titles but I choose to create a title above and use the pre-printed one as a subtle message. I added hand and machine stitching, embellishments and journaling to complete the page.

Now I just need to get my hands on some 12x12 Pocket Pages so I can complete the complimentary 2nd page for each month!

Thanks for stopping by today. Now go on and get scrappy crafty.

Love You More Mini Album

We take family photos every year and while I do scrapbook many of those photos, I always like to create a mini album that we can quickly flip through each year. 

I created this mini by cutting 1 12x12 piece of cardstock into 3 4”x10” strips. I folded each in half and stitched them together in the middle so they would measure 4”x5” per page.

For the cover, I covered it all with layers of pattern papers, a die cut gold doily and 3x4 card and twine.

On each inside page, I trimmed the papers about ¼” on each side, carefully matching papers to the photos. Then I went back and chose 3x4 cards that had the perfect sentiment or vibe of the photo. 

Each page is unique in it’s own way – doilies, stitching, embellishments, etc.

I used various stitching patterns on each page. I made sure to stitch the bit together before I added them to the base pages so the stitching wouldn't mess up the other side.

I cut the doilies on my CAMEO so they'd be the perfect size yet, I still had to cut them up a bit to fit perfectly behind the photos.

My life and my family is complete "all because two people fell in love".

Here's my cute little mini all tightly bundled up and ready to be opened (or put away). I keep all the mini albums from each year in one basket so we can look back and see how we changed and grown.

Thanks for stopping by today.  And thanks to My Mind's Eye for having me as their guest designer this month! I'd love to do it again (and again and again if you get the hint). LOL

You Girls Make Me So Very Happy | MME Guest Designer

Hello, I hope you enjoyed the layout I shared with you yesterday as part of my My Mind's Eye guest gig. You can see it below or you can see all my projects together on the MME blog here - DAY 1 and Day 2.

So here's a look at the 2nd project I created using the new Market Street collection.

I had this adorable photo of the hubby and I holding up this frame around our girls. It's a couple of years old and I hadn't scrapped it yet so when I saw the red brick color pattern paper with the green boarded up window, I knew it was time to get this one in the books.

I angled the white cardstock and distressed the edges. Then sewed it to the dark floral background.

The chipboard banner was calling me to use it. I originally planned to use it as a bottom border to complete the end of my title, layering the first part of the title on top but inspiration struck and this is what I came up with. I added tiny alphas between the crevices.

For the photo, I added some paper layers, gold foil doily and embellishments, leaving a pocket for journaling, which I made by adding the "Today" tab to a 3x4 card. I used teeny tiny foam dots to add the word "joy" sp that it's even with the photo layers  but popped up over the white cardstock.

So there you have it...stop by tomorrow for a look at the mini album I created. And head over to the MME blog and leave me some love - DAY 1 and Day 2.

Love You, Adore You | MME Guest Designer

Hey friends...raise your hand if you love My Mind's Eye as much as I do. I have been waiting for this day to come for-evah! Seriously. What a dream to guest design for them!!!

I pretty much love all their releases but I was over the moon happy when Stephanie said she was sending me Jen Allyson's Market Street collections.  The colors and patterns and gold foil accents - can I get a whoop whoop? And did you see the new Paper Goods collection? Swoon.

All my projects are on the My Mind's Eye blog. You can see DAY 1 and Day 2 by clicking those links. Since there aren't any detailed photos on the MME blog, I'm going to show my projects with the details here on my blog the rest of this week. So let's start with the first project I did...

Love You, Adore You

When I received the Market Street collection, I knew immediately what photos I wanted to scrap! I couldn't have planned the colors in the collection with my daughters outfit more perfectly if I had tried. I love using super-sized shapes on my layouts so I created a large circle out of leaves, inspired by the gorgeous prints in the Market Street collection. I used a subtle pattern for the background but toned down the center of the circle using gesso. 

I machine stitched  the leaves, adding a 3D bow at the bottom and adding my title, die cuts and embellishments at the top. 

I chose to use the word phrases for my journaling. Sometimes a picture (or two) says it all and then the word stickers were just the perfect combo to describe my super silly, incredibly sweet & sassy, oh so funny girl!

Thanks for stopping by today. Remember, you can see all my projects on the My Mind's Eye blog - DAY 1 and Day 2. Head on over and leave me some love!

Hello Sweet Little One - Reese @ 1 Month

This baby is 5 years old already. Actually, she's 5 1/2 but I digress. The point is, I am WAY behind on her baby album and even moreso behind on my 10 year old's album. I mean, I have scrapped baby photos but I want to go back and specifically go month by month and make sure it's all there with all the details.

The new Simple Stories Hello Baby collection is just what I needed to get back into the swing of things and now I have a plan.  My plan is to create a 12x12 layout with a coordinating 12x12 Pocket Page so I can include more photos and journaling details.  I am eagerly awaiting for my SN@P Pocket Pages to arrive but until then, how about a look at my youngest daughter's 1 month layout.

I was inspired to create this layout based on the So Sweet 12x12 paper. I love the pattern and wanted to use it as a background but I my photo got a bit lost so I cut up some of the paper elements and recreated the background.

I trimmed the pieces and then arranged them on the page and then stitched lines down the page. Once that was done, I added the title, photo and embellishments. 

I chose tone on tone wood grain alphas to add her name to the page. The journaling is included on a grey pull out tab behind the photo.

Thanks for stopping by today. I'll show her 2nd month layout very soon. Until then, visit the Simple Stories blog. Hint: it's up on the blog with this one today. Check back here for detailed shots soon.

Our Daily Vittles - Weight Loss Progress and Week 7 Menu Planning

3.5 LBS Week over week weight loss

17.5 LBS TOTAL weight loss since starting the shake/cleanse/healthy eating
19.5 LBS TOTAL weight loss since eating healthier

Daily vittles - May 11 - 17: 
Sunday (Mother's Day): Picnic at the park consisted of rotisserie chicken, kale salad from HEB, green beans, fruit and one chewy chocolate cookie
Monday: Salad with rotisserie chicken, strawberries, feta cheese, low fat balsamic vinaigrette
Tuesday: I did a cleanse and the family had leftovers
Wednesday: I did a cleanse and the family had leftovers
Thursday: Garlic Chicken with More Garlic in the Crockpot
Friday: Grilled Chicken with Black Bean Mango Salsa
Saturday: Vegetarian Whole Wheat Pasta Recipe with Fried Kale, Tomato Sauce, and Goat Cheese

Splash Day

Hello, hello, everyone! I wanted to show you a fun way to create your own background using your favorite elements from the Gossamer Blue May kit (or any papers for that matter). The sunshiny papers reminded me of this photo of my little princess eating a Popsicle on a warm sunny day.

 

I tackled this project as if I was making a quilt.  I decided to create an offset chevron. To do so, I divided my 12x12 cardstock into 3 diagonal sections and cut along the lines.

 

Once I chose my photo, I selected about 8 or 9 different patterns from approximately 5 papers, which means I used A&B sides of many of the papers. I cut them in various widths. I didn't measure since I didn't want them to live up perfectly.

 

Now for the fun part...

 

I cut a triangle, using a triangle punch and placed that in the center of the right side of the middle section. Then, I placed 1 strip of pink flush to the edge of one side of the triangle and then another strip of pink flush to the edge of the other side of the triangle, allowing pinks to overlap. Then I repeated that with the blue.

I repeated that step until I got to the end. Once, everything was adhered down for the middle section, I trimmed the edges and started on the bottom section and onto the top section.

 

Next, I stitched over each side of the strips, like a quilt would. WARNING: this is very time consuming but I think the result is soo worth it. After I trimmed the thread, I adhered each section to another piece of cardstock/chipboard and then added small strips of paper to cover the seam.

 

I added the title above and below the top right seam...

 

And then layered papers and embellishments around my photo, adding a few more embellishments to the page along the seam. Since the quilt pattern was so busy, I was very selective on the amount and which embellishments to use.

 

So there you have it.

 

I am absolutely in LOVE with this page and I hope it inspires you to create a pattern paper background of some sort using your May kit.

Thanks for stopping by today!

 

NSD 2014 Winners Announced

Hi everyone. I have TWO WINNERS from the NSD Blog Hop to announce today.

First up is the random drawing from the comments. I LOVED reading each and every one of your comments and I am so happy that so many of you downloaded my cutting file. I hope you'll share your projects with me, here or on a social network (tag me so I get notified).

The winner of the Dear Lizzy prize pack is...lisacng @ expandng.com

The 2nd winner was randomly drawn from my recipe challenge players, who posted on my blog post, emailed their projects to me, etc. The winner of the $10 My Scraps & More gift card is....

Tori Bissell

Here's the layout Tori created based on the recipe ingredients:

I just adore the layers around the photo and the random hearts around the page. And of course the feel good vibe that's making me want to sing along.

Congrats Lisa and Tori. Email me at heather @ heatherleopard . com by May 31, 2014 to claim your prize.

Our Daily Vittles - Weight Loss Progress and Week 6 Menu Planning

2 LBS Week over week weight loss

14 LBS TOTAL weight loss since starting the shake/cleanse/healthy eating
16 LBS TOTAL weight loss since eating healthier

Daily vittles: May 4 - 10: 
Sunday: Crispy Shrimp Burgers http://www.skinnymom.com/2014/01/23/crispy-shrimp-burgers/
Monday: Moroccan Chicken http://www.eatgood4life.com/moroccan-chicken/
Tuesday: I did a cleanse and the family had leftovers
Wednesday:  I did a cleanse and the family had leftovers
Thursday: CREAMY COCONUT SHRIMP “PASTA” http://thehealthyfoodie.com/creamy-coconut-shrimp-over-zucchini-pasta/
Friday: Paleo Pulled Pork Sweet Potato Sliders http://miloche.com/2013/09/paleo-pulled-pork-sliders/
Saturday: CHORIZO SWEET POTATO HASH http://www.worthypause.com/2013/04/chorizo-sweet-potato-hash.html

Totally Amazing Girl

If you are looking for my NSD challenge and giveaways, click HERE.

Good morning. I have a colorful layout to share with you today. You may have seen it this weekend on the American Crafts DT gallery but I'm sharing the details here today. It's very traditional in Texas and has a lot of meaning to my big, Mexican family, to do cascarones each year. You can buy them or make them (we made ours this year, which is another fun story to tell another day). Then you crack these confetti filled eggs on your loved ones heads. It's total fun. The Easter bunny hid the cascarones at my parent's house and these are the ones my youngest daughter found.

This layout was really fun to do and came together pretty quickly. To recreate, just punch 1" circles out of pattern paper and place them in random circles around the page. Stitch down the page in the middle of the circles.

Next, place die cut and epoxy embellishments in more of the circles, over the stitching.

Add layers of a glittery Polaroid frame, vellum paper and of course a title to complete the layout. I will add my journaling to some of the circles throughout the page.

Created with the May 2014 Gossamer Blue Main kit and add-ons. Get yours today before they are all gone, 'cause these beauties sell out FAST!

Thanks for stopping by today! Make sure to play along with my NSD recipe challenge HERE for a chance to win a $10 gift card to My Scraps & More. You have until midnight CST on May 10, 2014.

Our Daily Vittles - Weight Loss Progress and Week 5 Menu Planning

I made it to the 1 month mark on this incredible wellness journey!!!

Key thoughts/take-aways:

1. I've lost 12 pounds on this incredible, organic cleanse program
2. I'm well on my way to meeting my goal - shed 25 - 30 pounds before Hawaii in July.
3. I'm eating healthier and loving the amazing recipes and the family is eating healthier and learning good eating habits, by default.
4. I love my shake days!
5. I love my cleanse days even more!
6. I thought I would never be able to break free from coffee and diet coke. I ABSOLUTELY could and did! I'm soo happy for that!
7. I'm saving money on my groceries with this program and eating soo healthy. I love that this program pays for itself.
8. I can do this!

Progess:

5 LBS Week over week weight loss

12 LBS TOTAL weight loss since starting the shake/cleanse/healthy eating
14 LBS TOTAL weight loss since eating healthier

Daily vittles - April 27 - May 3: 
Sunday: Slow Cooker Pineapple Salsa Chicken http://www.skinnymom.com/2014/01/05/skinny-pineapple-salsa-chicken/
Monday: Panko Chicken with artichoke
Tuesday: Crispy Shrimp Burgers http://www.skinnymom.com/2014/01/23/crispy-shrimp-burgers/> 
Wednesday: I did a cleanse and the family had leftovers
Thursday: I did a cleanse and the family had leftovers
Friday: Grilled Chicken with Black Bean Mango Salsa
Saturday: Leftovers

She holds a very special place in my heart | NSD Blog Hop with American Crafts

Hello, hello, my scrappy friends! Welcome to the American Crafts National Scrapbook Day 2014 Blog Hop! We have an amazing lineup of design team challenges and I hope you'll be inspired to get crafty and participate along with us. 

 Spot a previous AC layout of mine in the NSD graphic above. Just kidding.  I have a fun recipe challenge for you today...

Ingredients:

1 photo

1 - 2 shapes (can be repeated)

4 or more patterns

Embellishment Bits &/or stickers, as desired

Sprinkling of enamel dots, sequins, mist, as desired

A dash of Thickers

A pinch of journaling, optional

Serve it all up on a layout, card or altered project for all to enjoy.

You hold a very special place in my heart by Heather Leopard

I used 1 photo, mostly triangles to form the shape of a heart, at least 10 patterns (I used A & B sides of some papers), stickers, Heidi Swapp mists and enamel dots, 4 sets of Thickers and journaling on the back of the tag. 

I created the heart die cut. If you like it and want it you can download the SVG file here or download the Silhouette file here.

 So I created a cut file, which I enlarged to 10" wide. I then cut it out of white card stock. I adhered the cardstock to a pattern background paper, slightly offset to the right. After that, I ungrouped the file and cut individual triangles from various pattern papers. Once they were cut, I stitched them in the correct position of the heart. I then stitched around the outer perimeter of the hart to give it more definition.

I added the long title around the heart and journaled on the back of the tag.

Two, yes two giveaways today....

BLOG HOP GIVEAWAY: Who wants to win some of this gorgeous Dear Lizzy Daydreamer collection? This prize includes several 6x12 papers, stickers, die cuts and more...

To enter, just leave a comment on this post by midnight CST on Saturday May 10th 2014, and I'll randomly select a winner. 

RECIPE CHALLENGE GIVEAWAY:  Leave a comment below linking up your Recipe Challenge project for a chance to win a $10 gift card to My Scraps & More, a great new online store that is owned by one of my bestest scrappy friends. Audrey carries the latest & greatest scrap supplies and the best customer service. Just link me up to your gallery or your blog by the May 10 deadline above. 

Now, on with the hop. Here is the full hop list. Now you have no excuse for not making it through the hop. Okay well that might be a bit extreme but make sure you go through the entire hop, leave a comment on each blog, then visit the American Crafts blog to win the super-de-duper prize they are offering!

Paige Evans

Allison Waken

Patricia Roebuck

Lilith Eeckels

Ashley Horton

Katie Ehmann

Elizabeth Gardner

Gina Lideros

Diana Waite

Janna Werner

***Heather Leopard***

Meghann Andrew

Erin Stewart

Becki Adams

Angie Gutshall

Madeline Fox

American Crafts

Next on the hop is Meghann Andrew!

Thanks for stopping by today and Happy National Scrapbooking Day!

Always My Sunshine

This little girl is special is so many ways. Some ways are obvious and some not so much. I love seeing her smile. Her face just lights up and I can feel the energy. She is soo loved.

I created this layout using only the Gossamer Blue Main kit - no add-ons. There's so much goodness packed into one kit...When I saw all the bright, sunshiny papers, I remembered this photo of my daughter with the sunflower in her hair so, I cut a HUGE sunflower shape to use as a background.

I guess I could have added one pattern paper as the background but instead, I cut strips of paper in different heights and adhered them to a piece of cardstock. I then laid the sunflower cut over it and stitched around the outer edge. I trimmed the center circle down so that it would sit approx. 1/4" from any inside points of the flower. A bit more stitching and I was ready for the photo and title.

I added a few layers and a bit of vellum to the back of my photo and kept the embellishments to a minimum and I was done. All I needed was a title. I used a combo of epoxy words and chipboard alphas. Prior to adding the word "shine" to the page, I misted some yellow over it. Once dried, I completed the title and added sequins here and there.

Thanks for stopping by today. I hope you have a happy, sunshiny day.  And run over to the Gossamer Blue store ASAP to get your kit and add-ons before Lori sells out. These babies go fast!