Poppy's Layout

My scrapbooking has suffered... I put it on the back burner during the holidays because I have so many other things and projects to do. I haven't made a layout in months! So, last night, I got out a couple pictures that I have been wanting to scrap for a long time and set out some new product and went to town!

These pictures are from 4th of July in 2009, and are of my dad and Elan. I love the ways a photo tells a thousand words... Elan has always loved Poppy and had an instant bond with him the day he was born. The journaling is on the pull-out tag that I added a rub-on to the outside of the pocket.

A close up of the banner...

To make this banner, I used the new triangle punch by Marvey and the circle emblem is from Martha Stewart. I have gotten really attached to certain punches and these are two of them. Lots of uses and possibilities!

And... I used Sketchy Thursdays sketch for the week to inspire me:

Enjoy, and I hope you find inspiration too!

EWE

Hello... how are ewe? Here are a couple of cards I made for my mom... she LOVES lambs! So, for her to be sending these cards is totally appropriate!

I also made a "thank ewe" one... he, he! The lamb paper is from Michael's and the twine is from Papertrey Ink. I made the felt bubble and printed and cut the sentiment. Simple, but pretty darn cute!

I also wanted to give you a recommendation on a book I just recently finished. I am a slow reader and I loved this book so much that I finished it in four days!

The story is narrated by a dog. I laughed, cried and cheered! It's wonderful and on a cold, snowy day like today, it's the perfect weather to curl up with a good book and something warm to drink! I, however, will be entertaining 3 kids due to a snow day!

Running update: I am up to 4 miles with no problem... no huffing or puffing, stopping and going, just a straight through run full of energy. The cold, windy weather is a little brutal, but after the first mile, my body adjusts to the temps. I'm rockin' it!

Have a great day and stay warm!

Birthday Calendar

This year, for Christmas, I made my mom a Birthday Calendar binder. I filled the months with birthdays and anniversaries, and also filled the pockets with cards for her to send. I also made myself a binder... I intend to send birthday cards this year, and on time! :)

I ordered the binder, the calendar pages, and the calendar stamp set from Papertrey Ink. It's simple, but I didn't want it to be fussy... since it would end up in the kitchen or on a desk.


Here is one of the cards that went with it...

A nice, clean grid pattern! The card is 5x5 and I cut the squares at 1.5". Then, I added some Papertrey Ink twill ribbon and to finish, a SRM birthday sticker in the corner. Easy and pretty!

I'll post more birthday cards this week!

A New Year...

Happy New Year, blog friends! I have BIG plans for myself this year... I am coming into 2011 with positive thoughts, an energetic mind and body, strong faith and determination. Lots to accomplish, but I know I can do it!

First, I have taken up running. The people who know me best know that I do not run and hate to exercise. Not this year! I have been running 4 days in a row and today ran 3 miles in 33 minutes- pretty good for a newbie! ;) I have signed up to run in the Louisville Triple Crown- 3 races that lead up to the mini-marathon before kicking off the Derby week events. I plan to finish the mini marathon with a big fat smile of accomplishment on my sweaty face.

Next up, to keep the focus on being positive, I found this little gem...


I love all the little sayings and I think I just might have to print it super big and hang one in my craft room and one in the kitchen as a constant reminder.

And finally, I love what Nichole Heady has thought of to jump start her creative thinking for 2011. A Random Inspiration jar... brilliant, and oh so cute!

To read more about the Random Inspiration jar, click here to read it on Nichole's blog.

I hope you all have a happy, healthy and crafty start to 2011!

Ringing in the New Year!

I hope you all had a very Merry Christmas! It was busy around here, day and night. It feels great to be in tonight on New Year's Eve with my family, just hanging out. We have been going non-stop since the kids have been out of school and we are all worn out!

A few shares tonight before 2011 gets here...

Here is a card I made for one of my special friends who gets a handmade, one of a kind card, every year. She truly loves getting them and frames some to display at Christmastime.


The Christmas trees were traced and cut out from Paper-Source stencils and then I covered them with glitter. There is some Bazzill, Making Memories and October Afternoon too. :)

Then I made a couple little gift bags for neighbors that I put homemade goodies in. I used a Basic Grey embellie for the bag and then die cut a tag and stamped it with Papertrey Ink supplies. Tied on a ribbon with some berries and voile!



Then, on Christmas Eve, we had a very special visitor at my mom and dad's house...

Santa himself! The kids were so excited and couldn't believe their little eyes! It truly was magical...

Anna kisses Santa when he tells her his Elves put some extra "Go-Go Puppies" on the sleigh. A wonderfully priceless photo!


Elan getting cool with Santa... he was described tonight as a "Carnival." That about sums up his little personality! ;)


Mac was a little timid about seeing Santa... I think this might be his last year believing in the "Big Man Himself." He has asked a lot of questions this year, but being the sweet boy he is, he does it privately so none of the other kids hear. We have loads of cousins!

It was my niece, Claudia and my nephew, Graham's first Christmas. They were jolly little babies all day long!

Christmas morning was a delight, to say the least! Everyone got their Christmas wish...

Elan got a Polar Express train set. Finding it alone was a Christmas miracle!

Anna got her "Go-Go Puppy!"

Mac was so surprised that he got the Star Wars set he wanted! His expression says it all!

We made lots of new Christmas memories this year and hope to make more in the new year ahead. Happy New Year to you all!

'Tis the season...

To stay up late! My goodness... so much to do in such little time! I always think I'm prepared and organized, and then December 1st comes and I'm panicking! Shopping, baking, hosting, wrapping, crafting, oh my! B R E A T H E... ahhh... much better! :)

The kids had a snow day today which was actually not too bad. It forced me to stay home and I caught up on laundry, got some stationery work done and wrapped a few gifts. This year I bought my gift paper at Michael's, but tied the most delicious red, satin ribbon on each of them.

You can get that yummy red ribbon at Paper-Source. And, speaking of gifts, I made a present card using some Doodlebug Designs flocked paper. I added some tulle, vellum, hand cut leaves, a bit of glitter and some May Arts ribbon to jazz up that gift!

Enjoy the rest of the night... stay warm! I'm hoping to wrap up my shopping tomorrow with my dear old dad on our annual Christmas shopping trip together- we always have so much fun! Night!

December Already!

How the time does fly! It's been a couple of weeks since my last post and I want to apologize for that! It's been busy... daily life, the unexpected and already, a hectic holiday season! I'm enjoying my Christmas decorations and the outdoor lights and feel cozy under a blanket with the cold, brisk wind outside. We are expecting a little snow tonight! :)

This is a patchwork card that measures 5x7" that I made and even framed a few to give as gifts, and sold out of them at the Temptations show in November. The card base is black glossy with the flocked dot paper on top. I love all the little squares of art on this card... so much to look at!

I still have lots to accomplish over the weekend to stay on schedule, but hopefully I'll be able to pop back in for a quick share or two!

P.S. To all my new bloggy friends: WELCOME! :) I'm happy to have you here!