Just me My Soldier and our 4 little chicks

it's scrappy sunday 7/31

papers, label stickers,month stickers-jbs

alphas- american crafts (aqua),basicgrey (black)

ink-jbs malted milk (stamped with pencil eraser)

this page came about for an assignment i had for the JBS blog. i was to do a layout demonstrating "beyond journaling". in other words, doing a page about something deeper than just describing the occasion in the photo.

this is a photo harper snapped before j and i went on a date (the night before he left). that night i almost deleted it. i remember thinking "why don't we ever have good photos of the two of us?".

hence this title. i found the photo the other day and i was SO happy to see it. it's funny how things can change in a few months.

journaling reads:

in may, when this photo was snapped,all i saw was that my arms looked big. not a good angle.parts are blurry and out of focus...so silly. now 2 months later all i can think about is how much i miss you. and how handsome you are. how much i miss your smile. and how i was so happy in this photo. come home soon. the heart of our home is missing.

gosh, i miss that guy! the good news is...making this page made me feel a little bit better. ;P

happy happy sunday!

xxo

s

links i love

1. if you are looking for a way to help a sweet little girl and donate to juvenile diabetes research, visit caylin's cure. you can also win some fabulous prizes!

 

2.a fabulous post and concept that i couldn't possibly agree with more. many of you have heard me say similar things here!

 

3. anj is my absolute favorite creative blogger. so glad she's blogging again, but you must visit the post i love the most. leave her some love, she's awesome!

 

4. my friend sara always inspires me. her home is beautiful, her shop is amazing, and she is a brand NEW mommy. along with her husband josh she just adopted finn. i am so happy for her i can hardly stand it.

 

5. i have been consulting this "summertime snacks" list by meg often.

 

how about you? what links are you loving lately?

xxo

 

boardwalk

let me introduce you to the august studio calico kit, boardwalk!

first of all, let me start off by saying that i am absolutely in LOVE with the colors in the main kit. teal is one of my favorite colors to work with. and the exclusive crate paper/SC papers are amazing.

i really want to order about six more sets of them. i fell in love.

my shopping list:

boardwalk

sandcastle

more SC paper

piglet mister huey's

calico cream mister huey's

precision pen .03 tip

 

and here's what i came up with this month.

 

eight months

12x12

how fun are the american crafts chalkboard stickers? i had so much fun playing with them.

i made this layout during a VERY hectic and stressful week. scrapbooking was the only escape i had all week long. i wanted to savor my time. take a little longer making a page. and yes, i wanted to try some techniques.

on this page i stamped, misted, and sewed. and i had FUN. i felt so much better and less stressed after making this page!

notes:

i used a 1.5 inch circle punch and a 1 7/8 scalloped circle punch.the top right circle is just one of the chalkboard stickers that i punched with a scalloped circle punch.

here's how i did the "c" and "l" initials like the one you see above. i used the sassafras stickers as a stitching template. i adhered them to the paper, punched holes around them using a pushpin, and then removed the sticker and stitched the letters (i used one strand of floss). then i painted the centers using calico cream mister huey's.

the circles were stamped using versafine pigment ink in onyx black.

the numbers were simply sassafras stickers that i stuck on the circles, outlined with dashes (using a white uniball signo pen), and removed. the uniball signo works GREAT on these stickers, i also did the journaling using the signo.

the second circle from the top on the right row is embellished with the maya road ruffle trim from sandcastle.

 

 

because of my girls

12x12

i used punches galore here. my old standby, apron lace, a corner rounder, and the think pink SLICE design card.

 

again, i used the maya road ruffle trim from sandcastle to embellish punched circles (punched using a 1 1/2 inch circle punch).there's that awesome stamp from boardwalk again! :)

i used close to my heart ink in lagoon to stamp the circles.

this layout is actually on AC vanilla cardstock, but i spritzed it with piglet mister huey's (pretty much the only mist i consistenly use) to make it more vibrant.

 

&they were 2 peas in a pod

8.5x11

not much to clarify here. i used the SC exclusive paper to make "two peas in a pod". love the twine in the main!

 

the photo on this layout just makes my heart happy.

so there you have it! if you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask!

if this was not the week i was doing cha work and packing for a trip, i would have done SO many more layouts. i was just itching to do more. but there was no way, jose. :)

hope your day is beautiful and blessed!

xxo

s

 

Studio Calico Summer 2011 CHA Blog Blitz!

i recently had the pleasure of getting my hands on some of the new studio calico goodies. i was asked to create a couple of layouts for the booth and BOY did i have fun.

today and tomorrow some of us will be sharing what we made in a fun blog blitz. for the entire list of participants, visit the SC blog!

this is the collection i was sent:

it's called memoir, and it is GORGEOUS. the teal is my absolute favorite part of the collection, but i was totally surprised at how much i LOVED the plum.

i have always really been a fan of wearing plum, but it's somehow never made it's way to my scrapbook pages.

to be honest, i was kind of "anti-purple" when it came to crafting.

i think now it's b/c i'd never met the right shade of purple. :)

enter memoir.

 

K

8 1/2 by 11

here's the first layout i came up with. this plum cardstock has been sitting in my stash FOREVER! Some of you are asking what the k means. This page is about Harper starting kindergarten. The k=kindergarten.

papers, stickers,chipboard, tags- studio calico memoir

butterfly rubon- studio calico (from the last release)

stamps- studio calico/hero arts silhouettes set

ink- jenni bowlin lemon drops and versamark in onyx

corner rounder

i have to be honest. i'm in love with this layout. i think this photo was waiting for these papers.

the circles are cut from this paper:

and i then stamped them with a grid stamp from the silhouettes stamp set.

a little chipboard button and stamped heart tops off each circle.

i so LOVE the text paper i used to mat the photo. there were two "k"s on the paper, so i outlined/dotted them with my pen.

 

a contradiction

12x12

please ignore the crooked, "unstuck" journaling stickers on this one. i didn't want to stick those suckers down until i got approval, and then when i did adhere them, i boxed the layout up and sent it off without photographing the final version. BOOO! but hopefully you can get the idea!

papers, stickers,scraps(tissue trim),chipboard- studio calico memoir

twine- divine twine black licorice

the "frame" around this photo is cut from one of the new die cut papers:

and the accents on the bottom&top of the layout are cut from this *beautiful* patterned paper!

i also made a sweet little bow using the new scraps.

a sprinkling of the bright new chipboard buttons (tied with twine) add the final touch.

did i mention how much i adore this line? i just know you will too!

and to PROVE to you how much you will love it, i'm giving away two of my favorite things from the memoir collection!

if you are interested in winning one of these two prizes, leave a comment telling me what you love most in the new SC releases. i'll draw two winners when i get back from my vacay!

note: it may take a bit for you to get these items as they are brand new and are still being produced!

 

hope your day is beautiful!

xoxo

s

cate+lucy 8 months

oh, these babies have stolen my heart.

i am so in love with them. their chubby legs, soft skin, their "ba ba ba ba ba bas".

in love with their downy hair, their pumping legs, gummy smiles.their big eyes, their hand sucking.

no matter how bone tired i am...when i drag myself into their room (at 5:30!!!!) i can't help but smile when i hear their coos and see those big grins.

i have started making baby food. and can someone please tell me why i didn't do it before now? it's so easy. and so much cheaper. and they LOVE it! their favorite so far is a recipe that consists of sweet potatoes,white beans, and cinnamon.

we still GO everywhere, every day. we get stopped about every 3 feet and we love it. well i do, the bigs do, and lucy (the grinner) does. cate? gives the suspicious one over+the stink eye.

i think she might take after her daddy that one.

they have started sharing a really really funny dynamic. one of them is always poking or grabbing at the other one. lucy is really good natured about it (see video for proof). cate? not so much. here's her reaction:




i have to tell you that photo above makes me laugh out LOUD every single time i look at it. the look on lucy's face? HAHAHAHAHHAAHA. this is the best photo ever.

 

lucy:

weight: unknown. but i suspect it's somewhere in the "sack o' potatoes" range.

teeth: none. but lots of slobber.

party trick: sucking on EVERYTHING. sitting in a straddle and leaning down until she is pretty much doing the splits. blowing spit bubbles.

clothing size: can fit into some 12 mos things. mostly 9 mo.

favorite food: not this one

favorite toy: crinkly book

favorite sound: her sisters voices

happy time: right after she's eaten

favorite joke to play on mommy: poop up the back. several times a day. always in the jumparoo.

personality: happiest baby in the world.

 

cate:

weight: unknown, but still about 2 lbs less than miss sack o' potatoes.

teeth: none. but copious drool.

party trick: rocking back and forth and scooting like an inchworm. all the way across the room, in the blink of an eye.

clothing size: can still fit into random pieces of 3-6 mos.

favorite food: sweet potatoes

favorite toy: sophie the giraffe

favorite sound: music

happy time: when mama is holding her

favorite joke to play on mama: see lucy's favorite trick.

personality: she studies everyone. you can't win her over as quickly as you can win lucy over. she gets her feelings hurt easily.

here is my favorite video ever of them. they are so funny together! ignore the fact that i completely drop the phone at the end. sorry in advance for any motion sickness!

 

xoxo

s

pinspiration thursday

i haven't done one of these in a while, and i thought it was high time!

you can find my pinterest boards here!

i have to say that i'm finding the pinterest app on my iPhone super addictive. i browse it every night right before i fall asleep and i have ended up pinning so much from the "popular" section. so much inspiration, so little time. sigh.

here are some of my recent favorites.

handprint tutu via meet the dubiens

 

terra cotta pots via under the sycamore

 

teal and coral wardrobe via maillardville manor

 

repurposed ikea cabinet via decor8

 

chalkboard game table top via diy ideas

 

 

avocado chicken salad via cheeky kitchen

 

perfect pink ruffle cake via cake central

 

via observando

 

butterfly tags via decor8

 

via flights of fancy

 

burlap and doily banner via the creative mama

 

crepe paper flowers via le frufru blog

 

oh my. i LOVE pinterest. and this is only the tip of the inspirational iceberg my friends. i have gotten craftier since the advent of pinterest, i tell you!

happy thursday!

 

xoxo

s

 

on the road...

praying that the possibilities don't involve vomiting

simultaneous diaper explosions

two babies screaming nonstop

and hearing "are we there yet" 192840239840823 times.

yes, we are on a road trip.

i've set up posts while i'm gone,so not to worry. :)

wish me luck...

see you soon!

xoxo

s

this girl

owns a special piece of my heart. God sure knew what he was doing when he gave her to me. to us. she keeps me on my toes, keeps me laughing, keeps me preoccupied. she saves me.

no one can....

 

scare me half to death:

 

make me laugh until i cry:

 

 
 

make me so frustrated i want to cry. but then laugh instead:

 

 

baffle me with her 'ashion choices:

 

make my heart ache and take my breath:

 

amaze me with her tenderness:


 

no one can do ANY of those things quite the way she does them.

she's a contradiction.

wild, fierce,stubborn,defiant, tenderhearted, sensitive,independent,snuggly,sweet,hilarious,

beautiful,prickly.

shy when you meet her in person, unstoppable,never stops talking in person.

He broke the mold when he made her. so glad she is mine.

have a beautiful monday.

xo

s

scrappy sunday 7/17

today is actually more of a make it monday type post. but i wanted to post it today...ugh. nevermind. i'm confusing myself. HA!

i wanted to share some of the crafty things i've been doing with the girls. nothing revolutionary, but some of you have asked me to share, so share i will!

i've been on a tear of actually USING my pinterest pins. yes, that's right. lots of them. who knew that i could actually turn these ideas into projects. HA!

here are some breakfasts i've made for the girls lately...both from my for the chickies board.

i do special breakfasts for the girls every couple of weeks. the bottom one is supposed to be submarines (note the straw periscopes) but it totally looks like fish. HA! oh well, i know a 3 year old and a 5 year old that didn't even notice!

luckily,there's lots they don't notice as i am prone to messing things up! :)

 

now onto the slime i made the girls using metamucil. oh yes, you heard me right. haha!i found the recipe here, on wonder time. 

1.In a plastic jar with a tight lid, have your child shake together 2 tsp Metamucil and 1 cup water for 1 minute.

2. Pour the mixture into a small saucepan, bring to a boil over medium heat, and cook, stirring constantly, for 3 minutes.

3. Transfer to a bowl and stir occasionally as it cools.

and when you're done, you get something both really COOL and really GROSS.

the girls were FASCINATED with this stuff and played with it forever. warning, it's super messy! :)

 

another thing i wanted to recommend was ashley ann's world's best bubble mix. we don't buy bubbles anymore...they just don't cut it. these bubbles are the BEST!

the last things i wanted to share were some fourth of july crafts we did. again, i found all of these ideas online and pinned them.

they can be found on my fourth of july board.

 

first and foremost, the most important thing when embarking on a craftstravagaaaaanza is to paint your fingernails in festive holiday colors.

but i'm assuming everyone alread knows that (Duh!) so i'm moving on.

first up were pasta and glitter fireworks.

i don't have a finished photo of these b/c ummm...i'm pretty sure they are still drying somewhere?

 

yeah, that's right. these didn't work out so well, harper actually said "oh NO! this is like the lionmousemonster craft". HEHHEEH! but you know what? we had FUN.

then we made firecrackers.

 

i saw this one on pinterest, but also on my friend dav's blog. i love it when i find good toilet paper roll crafts, as we save them all and have SO Many!!!

 

 

didja notice??? we embellished our rockets? firecrackers?

whatever...we embellished them with pom pom trim, feathers, and washi tape.

you bet we did!

so there you have it. craft overload, yes???

hope you enjoyed!

and in case you didn't, here's one last non craft-related RANDOM picture that makes me laugh really really hard.

happy sunday y'all!

xoxo

s

 

 

something about the summer

something about the 117 degree heat index

and the humidity. something about all of the crafts

and all the bubbles and all the skits.

something about all the errands,books we've read,plays we've put on,baking we've done

playdates we've had, exercising we've done

something about it

makes

us

tired.

even i have taken a few naps the past week. and i never ever nap. i blame it on the heat.

so we sleep.

we recharge.

because don't you know there are important things to be done?

like so.

happy happy friday!

xxo

s