Star of the Week/Hybrid Project

{If you'd like to enlarge it, click on the picture}

Kaylie is the STAR OF THE WEEK at her school this week - April 21 to April 26, which means that one of her parents or Grandparent has to come to school for a presentation and must do a project together. Since DH is the only one working, he can't get off to go to school, so I am IT!

Coming up with the concept was easy peasy...she is my only girl which makes her my little princess. The fact that she loves princesses was a dead giveaway, too. Kaylie and I designed it on the computer, which I then printed. I trimmed the pieces and she glued them on. I thought it would be cute if she drew some of the things that she liked, which she did. Instead of a poster, we did it like a book. We didn't use staples, we used flower brads. (I had to use that crop-o-dyle that I just got, right?) After I placed the brads in, I ran a grossgrain ribbon and made a cute little bow. Kaylie was super happy with how the project turned out.

I kid you not when I tell you that I love, love, love Lorie Davison's The Bouncing Bunnies and Brownies collection. This specific bg. ppr. that you see in these pages, is my most favorite in the whole world...well, maybe not the whole world, but a close second. I have used this kit 4 times already, which is a record for me. The button border holding the photo is from this collection, too.

And OMG, have you seen the Moon Faerie Alphas? You haven't? See the alphas I used to spell out Kaylie's nameon the above layout...they are it. They are gorgeous! I love them, love them, love them, love them. Did I tell you I love them?

The Blue button and leaves garlands are from Lorie's Water Spirit Collection at SBG.

The Tied border is from Lorie Davison's Prairie Gal Collection - Elements #8 at SBG

The twigs/leaves border is from Sausan Design's Verde elements at SBG.

Once Upon A Time title, dragon, frames and flowers shown on the family page are from Sausan Designs's Fairy Tales page set.

The castle overlay, stars and drawn frames are from Dana Frantz' Dreamery Elements Pack.

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Glorious Sunday; Beautification Day

Sunday was Adam's birthday. We went to the cemetery to clean up around his grave and plant some flowers. What better way to honor his memory than planting flowers and teaching the kids that when someone dies that person still remains a part of the family and has to be remembered.

Liam and Kaylie started picking up sticks from the surrounding area, but there were sticks EVERYWHERE so they soon got tired of picking sticks and wanted to do the raking of the leaves instead. Kaylie was a trooper, she raked, she picked up leaves, she dug a hole to plant the flowers and wanted to place the mulch.

Liam, on the other hand, offered to pick up leaves because he wanted to WEAR the GLOVES I had brought to pick up the leaves. I don't mind cleaning up, but hate picking up grubs and worms or any other kind of living being with my bare hands. Yuck! Anyway, the novelty of the gloves wore off shortly and he didn't want to help anymore.

I went there to clean up Adam's gravesite, but when I saw how unkept the other graves were, I decided to clean them up a bit, too. Liam couldn't understand why I wanted to clean up the other graves, when we didn't even know who they were. I told him that this was like our Earth Day, when you clean up for the sake of the planet and because it was the right thing to do. In one ear and out the other. Maybe next year, he'll get the point of doing for others.

Later on the afternoon, we all went out for a bike ride around the neighborhood. The kids had a lot of fun...and got their exercise.

Saturday! It's Good to be Alive.

Saturday was a beatiful day. The kids went out to play in the backyard and Liam came back screaming with delight, "We have leaves in the trees!"

It was so warm and sunny...I did the wash and hung the clothes/sheets out to dry. They smell so good!

Moises washed the cars, Kaylie and Liam "helped" him. I cleaned the inside of my car...I tell you, it must be spring fever because I am never happy about having to clean, if you know what I mean, but I didn't mind one bit.

After many months of hounding dh, he finally broke down and let me buy an external harddrive. I got the Maxtor One Touch 4 (1tarabyte). Oh joy! Cheap thrill, I know, but makes me happy nonetheless.

I even put away my digital camera and gave my Minolta Maxxum 400 SI (film camera) a test run. I shot 5 rolls of film and I love the sharpness, handling and sturdy make of the camera. I didn't realize how much I had missed my film camera. Though it is a lot heavier than my Canon Powershop, the razor sharp clarity of the photos more than make up for any pain I may sustain for carrying it. I can't wait to see my photos...I'll let you see them, too. :)

Anyway, while I took the kids to the park on Saturday and did have my film camera, I wanted instant gratification so I took my digital as well. This is a shot that I took at the park. The blooms were so gorgeous. 2557

Little Dreamer Designs

Little Dreamer Designs, by sisters Michelle Coleman and Lori Barnhurst, turns one. They have challenges, sales and freebies. Congratulations to all.

KimB has the cutest buttons ever...little tweets.

Have a great day.

Kait

10 Years and I Still Miss You So Very Much :(

Every year, as your birthday approaches, it hits me all of a sudden. The realization that one more year has gone by. You would have been 10 years old this year. I only had 3 hours with you and that is all the memories I have of you. Time heals all wounds and your memory is not as painful to me anymore.

315,360,000 seconds
5,256,000 minutes
87,600 hours
3,650 days
521.42857143 weeks
120 months
40 quarters
1 decade
It's been 10 years sinceyou have been gone and I miss you more each day.Until I see you again,I will hold you in my heart.Love always,Mom

Out on a Whim Collection by Dianne Rigdon
http://scrapbookgraphics.com/xcart/product.php?productid=20738&cat=0&page=1
Font: TS-SBGFarkleberry by Traci Sims
http://scrapbookgraphics.com/xcart/product.php?productid=20746&cat=279&page=1
For the SSD Cookie Decorating Challenge April 9. Cookie based on a LO by Jacq Delfin.
Beaded Alpha by Kimberly Giarruso/TDC
Photo ID # 912758
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Can't Have One Without the Other

As of late, Liam has an obsession with all kinds of stuffed animals.He always slept with Barney and Squeaky, but then wanted to sleep with my stuffed giraffe. Over the weekend, Hannah, Kaylie’s friend, gave him two (2) ducklings. He loves them. He carries them everywhere he goes and sleeps with them. The first thing he grabs now are his ducklings. It was duck (love) at first sight.

Font: Tahoma
Cloud bubble shape mine. The clipped paper is from a mat within the kit.
Bracket shape from Shapes Collection 4 by Jen Caputo at SBG.

LOVE OF MY LIFE COLLECTION BY BAERSGARTEN (6 KITS FOR $20.00 - ON SPECIAL)
Brown Ppr. (darkened to almost black) from SOLIDS pprs. from LOML Collection
Brown Alpha from LOML Collection
Tag and tied ribbon from DREAMING from LOML Collection.
Bird, bird button, Green outline ppr. and Blue ppr. from GROWING from LOML Collection .
Frame, hearts, red. bg. ppr. and word strips from LOVING from LOML Collection .
Staples - Jenn Patricks.
Notebook border template by Karah Fredricks/The DigiChick
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Just Another Lazy Day...

In case you can't tell, I am enamored with Lorie's Bouncing Bunnies and Brownies collection. It is so whimsical and fun, I love it to pieces. And have you seen ON's Bubbles? I can't tell where the real bubbles from the photo end and the ones by ON begin. They are that good.

Bubbles No. 1 - ON Designs

http://www.scrapbookgraphics.com/xcart/product.php?productid=20757&cat=0&page=1

The Bouncing Brownies and Bunnies Collection by Lorie Davison

http://www.scrapbookgraphics.com/xcart/product.php?productid=20628&cat=0&page=1

Butterfly by Ana Amorim/ScrapArtist Apprentice sampler

Fonts: Century Gothic, Benguiat Bk and Inkburrow

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Shutterfly Blog / Michelle Coleman

Hi,

Don't forget to stop over at the SHUTTERFLY BLOG. The super talented, Michelle Coleman, has a beautiful sampler that she is giving away.

Krista, of Designs by Krista, has a Sundance page set that is super cute, too.

What are you waiting for? Get out of here, go get those kits!

Vera Lim / Hot Pink Sandals

Who would have thought that a pair of hot pink sandals would bring so much joy to you? Certainly not I. Daddy went to the mall with you and Liam to purchase school shoes and came back with these. All winter long you have been waiting for the opportunity to wear them. 4-6-2008
Little Missy papers and Elements by Vera Lim
Elements:
http://scrapbookgraphics.com/xcart/product.php?productid=20781&cat=0&page=1
Papershttp://scrapbookgraphics.com/xcart/product.php?productid=20780&cat=0&page=1
One Beautiful Day the Solids by Vera Lim
http://scrapbookgraphics.com/xcart/product.php?productid=20646&cat=0&page=1
Enlarge It action by Wendyzine from her Grab It Actions 2 (grabbag)http://scrapbookgraphics.com/xcart/product.php?productid=20777&cat=0&page=1
Fonts: Vaguely Repulsive, Century Gothic
Out on a Whim alpha by Dianne Rigdon
http://scrapbookgraphics.com/xcart/product.php?productid=20735&cat=0&page=1
Sketch by C. Schneider
Staple by Jenn Patrick
Filmstrip from Delight in Photographs Elements by Jessica Bolton
http://scrapbookgraphics.com/xcart/product.php?productid=17294&cat=0&page=5
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Family Tree - Chart 1

Family Tree, Chart 1

This tree starts with my mom, lists her marriages and children.

The next chart will have the children and their families.

Information blacked out to preserve privacy.
Twisted branch, white flower and bg. pprs. from Front Porch by Birgit Kerr

http://www.scrapbookgraphics.com/xcart/product.php?productid=20521&cat=0&page=1

Purple flower from Edgy Edges Cardboard Vol. 2 by Birgit Kerr

http://www.scrapbookgraphics.com/xcart/product.php?productid=20204&cat=0&page=2

Tree shape and stamps from Roots page set by Robyn England/ScrapArtistBeaded wrap and raffia wrap from Thats A Wrap 2 - beaded by Birgit Kerr

http://www.scrapbookgraphics.com/xcart/product.php?productid=20056&cat=0&page=3Backward Staple by Jenn Patricks

The Roots - Family Tree

I know, I know...I have been neglecting my memorial pages. But here is the first of the family tree.



Memorial page...getting down to the roots.
R - Trash Alpha by Birgit Kerr from her Superstuffed Box - April Grabbag
Background paper and folded paper template also from the April Grabbag.
http://www.scrapbookgraphics.com/xcart/product.php?productid=20778&cat=0&page=2
Silver dots overlay by Vera Lim from her Little Missy Elements set http://www.scrapbookgraphics.com/xcart/product.php?productid=20781&cat=0&page=1
Leaf/Greenery from Verde elements by Sausan Designs
http://www.scrapbookgraphics.com/xcart/product.php?productid=20631&cat=0&page=1
Tree overlay and nameholder grid by Robin England/ScrapArtist.
Font: Times New Roman, Virginie

http://www.scrapbookgraphics.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=32014
http://www.scrapbook-bytes.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=281148&ppuser=19252
http://www.digishoptalk.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=307431&ppuser=976
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Time Saving Tip for Photoshop Users

ScrapKitty has a great tip to help you make the most of your time...using your favorite folder as the go to destination folder.

Paper bag album and book

If you have been wanting to create a paper bag album, or a book, head on over to Sausan Designs blog where she has all the information that you need to get your started on this (these) fun project(s).

Thanks Sylvie!

My Hybrid Project - Purse Album

Click on images to enlarge, if you want a closer look.

Digital Supplies

Out on a Whim Collection by Dianne Rigdon

http://scrapbookgraphics.com/xcart/manufacturers.php?manufacturerid=45Staples by Jenn PatricksTwitterpated - A Little Bird Told Me Elements by Dianne Rigdon

http://scrapbookgraphics.com/xcart/product.php?productid=20769&cat=0&page=1Border Floral Brushes 2 by Vera Lim

http://scrapbookgraphics.com/xcart/product.php?productid=20681&cat=0&page=1

I Am Here to Live out Loud word art by Jen Wilson.(modified)

Hybrid/paper supplies

Matted papers (to print layouts)

Paper flowers by Creative Memories

3m Adhesive glue

X-acto knifebrass

brads

Purse album by Creative Imaginations

Blue ribbons from JoAnn Fabrics

Can you believe I have another project in the works?!

Hybrid Challenge at Method Playground

My uber talented friend, Karen Bowers, is hosting a challenge over at Method Playground. It is a double challenge. Go on over and download the sampler provided by Scrapbook-Graphics, then join us.

1. Challenge for digital scrappers to try their hand at hybrid scrapping.

2. Challenge for paper scrappers to try their hand at digital scrapping.

Obviously, if you know me, you know that I am a die-hard digital scrapper, BUT wanted to give it a try and I might add, I enjoyed myself immensely.

I created my layout in Photoshop, printed it on matted paper and embellished with paper flowers. I am quite pleased. After all, it is my 2nd hybrid project. I love, love, love those tiny brads! :)

This is the cover of my Valerie Purse album that I made for my 7 year old daughter. She loves it. I will be posting all the details of the project in my next post.

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Nice Finds

Hello Everyone,

While I haven't had much time of late to be hopping all over the blogosphere, I did come across these...I hope they are of use to you.

KSharonK has a Faded Beauty sampler on her blog. Check out the kit while there.
Christina Renee has a super cute "French twist" freebie.
Miriam Lima at LDD has a sampler for your to play along her crazy challenge.
Clear Frosted Alpha by KaAgard. She's got other alphas, etc. on previous postings.
BohemianArt has a super cute sampler from her Sakura kit at SA.
SweetMade has a wonderful overlay over at her blog...check it out.
Jess Gordon has some stamped flowers...lovely.
Kirsty Wiseman has some cute floral overlays.

Scraplift Challenge - A Grandson's Love

My layout for the scraplift challenge at Scrapbook-Graphics. Inspired by Elizabeth's layout titled Jason. http://www.scrapbookgraphics.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=31564

Kit used: Denim Blues by Flergs here at Scrapbook=Graphics.

Font: Antique Type.

Frame and flower border are freebies from Flerg's April newsletter.

Rustic Charm

Can you believe that I had to take 4 pictures and merge them to get this panoramic view photo of the farm? I love how it turned out though. Layout done for scraplift chall. at Scrapbook-Graphics.
I don't know when my fascination with barns, farms and shacks began. I guess that I equate them with a simpler way of life. Life nowadays is so fast and complicated that I long for simplicity.
Cream paper - HIPPIE COUTURE - PAPER SET 2 by Dana Frantz
http://www.scrapbookgraphics.com/xcart/product.php?productid=20682&cat=0&page=1
Tag from FRONT PORCH, the Elements by Birgit Kerr
http://www.scrapbookgraphics.com/xcart/product.php?productid=20524&cat=0&page=1
Stitched ribbons from OUT ON A WHIM collection by Diane Rigdon
http://www.scrapbookgraphics.com/xcart/product.php?productid=20738&cat=0&page=2
Frameit Grungy grid by Meredith Fenwick
SWEETNESS PAGE SET kit by Meredith Fenwick
http://www.scrapbookgraphics.com/xcart/product.php?productid=20712&cat=0&page=1
lace - WINTER WHITES by Traci Sims
http://www.scrapbookgraphics.com/xcart/product.php?productid=17030&cat=0&page=1
Fonts: TK Stamped and Antique Type.
TK STAMPED http://www.scrapbookgraphics.com/xcart/product.php?productid=16624&cat=279&page=2
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Sakura

Layout done for template challenge at Scrapbook-Graphics. Do you like this template? Do you want to join us in this challenge, if so, head on over to SBG to get your very own copy.

Font: Century Gothic

White butterfly from Border Collection by Flergs.
http://www.scrapbookgraphics.com/xcart/product.php?productid=20378&cat=0&page=4
Round journaling tag upon which the cherry blossoms are emerging are from Journaling Pads by Vera Lim (April grabbag) (see link below)
Swirl from A Little Magic (April grabbag) by Vera Lim
http://www.scrapbookgraphics.com/xcart/product.php?productid=20701&cat=0&page=1
Border Brushes 2 by Vera Lim
http://www.scrapbookgraphics.com/xcart/product.php?productid=20681&cat=0&page=1
Green twigs and rusty pins around cherry blossoms from Verde Element set by Sausan Designs
http://www.scrapbookgraphics.com/xcart/product.php?productid=20631&cat=0&page=1Blue bg. ppr. and White floral bg. ppr. from One Beautiful Day the papers by Vera Lim.
http://www.scrapbookgraphics.com/xcart/product.php?productid=20647&cat=0&page=1
White bg. ppr. from One Beautiful Day the Solids by Vera Lim
http://www.scrapbookgraphics.com/xcart/product.php?productid=20646&cat=0&page=1
Template based on a layout by Debbie Gaydos in Scrapbook Trends

Featured Layout Alert

Hey, hey, hey, my layout, A REMEMBRANCE FOR ALL SEASONS, is currently the featured layout at Scrapbook-Bytes!