Two-Page Layout "This is Me"

I just brought home some new Teresa Collins and it was taunting me on my craft table - "Use me! Use me!"  So I did.  :)  "Hello My Name Is" is a great color palette for any occasion and I really love the sentiments in this collection - it's all about being yourself and living your life fully and in a way that's uniquely you.  I think these photos of my daughter dressing up fits the theme perfectly.  She really is awesome!!!

I don't post a lot of Two-Page layouts - they are more difficult to photograph, but I do complete a lot of them.  Sometimes you just can't fit all those funny/amazing/can't part with photos onto a single page!

Sketch Challenge - DCWV

It's been awhile since I've participated in one of DCWV's stack-a-holic sketch challenges, but since I am a stack-a-holic, I thought I'd sneak in for February's challenge (follow the link to see the original sketch).  This time I used my fun and bright "My Sunshine" stack.  I added a bit of washi and a few stickers from Simple Stories, but all the papers are from this stack.  I cut the polaroid die cut and the title (girl) with my Artbooking Cricut cartridge.  I love all the bright, layered patterned pieces against the neutral brown and you just can't help but smile looking at this sweet photo of our girl!

Washi Tape Layout Times Two

I do love the versatility of washi tape.  Over at the My Creative Life 2014 blog, we are celebrating washi tape this week and I'm contributing a little washi inspiration by sharing how I've incorporated it onto two recent layouts.
In this first layout, I used washi to create a border around the entire layout.  The yellow looks great against the white/patterned type background and helps to bring in the focus onto the photos and journaling box.  It's a bit harder to see against the yellow background, but I used the same washi on that journaling box, too.

In my next layout, washi makes an even bigger impact by using coordinating patterns to make my own background sheet.  I started with a neutral grey background approximately 8x10 and after choosing my washi, began laying it down in straight rows.  I simply ripped, rather than cut straight, the ends.  It was a super quick process and brings a lot of interest to the page.  I also added a torn strip of washi across the upper left of the page.  It helps to balance out the title and sticker cluster at the bottom right.
 

How will you be using your washi on your next scrapbook layout?  For more ideas, see my pins on this Pinterest board, Wonderful Washi!  If you're looking for even more ways to use washi in your scrapbook layouts, as well as use up more of your scrapbook stash, you'll want to check out my class at My Creative Classroom.  It's packed full of sketches, layout samples, and lots of ideas for digging into your creative supplies and using what you have on hand to create awesome layouts.  

Join me for Scrap That Stash! at MCC!

Comfort to Hold On To

This week in my own personal devotion time I’ve been studying how God cares for us.  You see, I’ve been a little bogged down by the burdens of this world lately.  Job issues, illness, friendships, the pending death of a loved one with cancer have all been weighing heavily on my soul. So, I’ve been trying to remind my soul that in all things, despite all circumstances surrounding me, I am taken care of.  I was led into many comforting Bible passages, including 1 Corinthians 1:3-4, which speaks of the Lord of all comfort, who comforts us in all troubles, and 1 Peter 5:7, which reminded me to throw all my anxiety onto Jesus because He cares for me. 

Then, my heavenly Father cupped my face in His large hands and spoke to my innermost being.

Karen, I have loved you with an everlasting love. I have drawn you with a loving kindness. I will build you up again and you will be rebuilt. Again you will take up your tambourine and go out to dance with the joyful. Jeremiah 31:3-4. 

Tears. Sighing. Weight lifting. Yes. God’s love is a daily caring kind of love - in all things and in all circumstances, but it’s also more than that, and God knew I needed to be reminded of that.  God’s love is an eternal love. It transcends this tear-stained life.  Weeping may endure for the day, but joy comes in the morning. Psalm 30:5  I have victory in this life because Jesus has victory over this life.  No, it doesn't take away the pain that this world often brings, but it does help put it in perspective. And today that brings me hope and a little joy.  I pray it does the same for you.

I linked this devotion here:

Simple Stories Layouts

It's Design Team Wednesday over at Scrapdoodles again and it's my chance to show off a couple of layouts with some cute new lines just in from Simple Stories! My first layout is a fun girly layout using the mini collection, "Hey, Mom!" I loved this heart patterned sheet right away and chose to use it as my background.  I flanked my candid shot of my daughter and me by 2 3x4 cards from one of the 12x12 sheets.  These cards are great for cutting apart to use on layouts, Project Life/Albums Made Easy inserts, cards, and more. You can embellish them or leave them as-is.  The only thing I did to mine was add some Glossy Accents over the heart in the cute pink canning jar.  Underneath my photo strip, I used some of the coordinating stickers - the colored chevrons, as well as their negative portion to give a little balance to the bottom left of my layout. I had quite a bit of journaling to add, so I ran a lightly colored strip down the side of the layout.  This line is perfect for mother-daughter layouts, mother's day layouts and cards, as well as spring and so many occasions!

Another great new line from Simple Stories is called "A Simple Life."  The colors in this collection are awesome!  The navy blue really anchors the bright green and yellow.  I used the coordinating elements to create a fun banner across the top of my page and really layered it up to support that single 4x4 inch photo.  I even dug around in my stash to find a bright green feather that added just the right amount of fun and texture to this layout.  I had just picked up these wood grain letter stickers from Scrapdoodles also and thought they went well on this layout.  (they are made by Webster's Pages - part of the Sprinkled With Love collection - some more gorgeous papers to be found at the store!!!)

 I had a few pieces left over and put together this cute card in a snap.  That's another reason to love the collections from Simple Stories - cards and other projects come together so quickly!

Cute Critter Valentines

Hannah and I finished her class Valentines over the weekend.  I asked her to choose 1 or 2 images for her Valentines from the Create a Critter cartridges.  I really hoped she was going to choose an owl (because I love owls), but despite my attempts at persuasion, she didn't (sniff).  She chose a kitty and a birdie for the girls.  The bird with the heart wing didn't have a hat, but H. insisted that it needed one, so we cut the hats from another page.  I love that she has her own artistic/creative eye.  Her choice for the boys was the cute fire dog.  One of her classmates really loves all things fireman and fire engine related, so all the boys are getting this puppy.  She helped me choose the paper colors and then we cut all the pieces out with the Cricut.  She and I glued all the layers together.  She did much better placing and fitting things together than I anticipated, so my OCD didn't kick in too much.  :)  Then we put together a few items in baggies (pencil, erasers, notebook, stickers) and taped the finished critters to the baggies with a cute sentiment on the back.  She can't wait to take them to school for her friends!

Birdies and Kitties for the girls.

Fire house Puppies for the boys.

Love These Layouts!

It's February and love is in the air...and on my craft table! Today I want to share two recent layouts that I really love.
First up: "Me & You."  Even thought this photo of my husband and me is out of focus, I love the candid nature of it and that we are both smiling and looking happy.  Sometimes those imperfect photos make great layouts! This one uses some of the new Fancy Pants "Be Loved" collection.  I really was drawn to the water color feel and soft palette.  So many little elements are available with this collection, too.  I altered my background sheet by drawing a large heart, sewing the outline with pink American Crafts twine, and then adding some paint and pink chalk to the inside.  I also added twine in other places - the tags and several cross stitches on the left side.  The "me & you" sentiment was cut with my Cricut - Graphically Speaking is an old cartridge, but still one of my faves.  The pink glitter border strip is from Teresa Collins.

I picked up some new My Minds Eye yesterday at Scrapdoodles and had a little fun.  I also recently added a couple of new cartridges to my collection, so wanted to use them right away, too.  The beautiful background sheet is from MME's Now & Then, "Dorothy" collection.  The heart doily (LOVE) was cut with my new Edge to Edge Cricut cartridge.  The title is also from a new cart - Small Talk Frames and Tags.  The rest of the elements are MME.  I'm really loving the phrases and mini letters available with this collection.

Thanks for visiting! I hope you have a LOVE-ly day!

A Heart of Wisdom...

Time management.  Don't we all struggle? (Please say, "Yes.") This week I've been thinking about managing my time (prompted by my Sunday School high school students for this topic).  Praying about this I've found that God doesn't necessarily tell us exactly what to do with every hour of every day, but He does tell us to seek Him and His Wisdom when we are managing our time and resources.  Ephesians 5:15 tells us to "Be very careful, then, how you live - not as unwise, but as wise, making the most of every opportunity because the days are evil."  It's so easy to waste our time doing things (or no-things) that do not improve the value of our lives and the lives of those around us.  So, whether we are trying to balance family, work, and service, or homework and friends, we need to seek God and ask where He wants us to spend the most (or least) amount of time.  This week I'm praying for God to help me - to teach me how to spend my time and how to rely on His Wisdom in scheduling the precious hours of my days, and to give me the energy and will to accomplish what He places before me.  I'm praying that whatever it is that God calls me to do each day, I'm doing it with a full heart for Him.

You're OWLsome! Thank You Cards

Hannah just turned 5!
She enjoyed a My Little Pony themed birthday and lots of wonderful gifts from lots of wonderful people.  

I made these cute cards for her to write her thank yous.

This adorable owl is found on the Hoot n' Holler Cricut cartridge.  

The numbered cards and patterned paper are both from American Crafts.

The cute sentiment stamp is from a set by Jillian Vance Designs.  I picked the set up at my favorite store, Scrapdoodles in Fredericksburg.  I plan on using some more of these cute sayings for Valentine's Day.

And here's the cutie pie Birthday Girl!