Simple Stories: Merry Memories Album

Hello Simple Stories friends! Today, I am sharing my "Merry Memories" album with you all. This is a photo-heavy post so sit back and enjoy! I approach the concept of a December Daily album very differently. The thought of creating a page for each day of December stresses me out! And there are some days where we do A LOT especially close to Christmas. So instead, I create my album based on 31 memories during the month of December. I have one page for each memory/tradition and go from there. I created my album using one of the red Sn@p 6x8 binders, the December Documented collection and the Christmas Sn@p sets.

I cut the trees and present out of one of the transparencies to decorate my cover. The base is a sheet of the black "chalkboard" basics that I cut down to fit and then embellished the centers of the snowflakes with rhinestones. I also adhered some of the stickers and chipboard to the cover. I did add a stronger adhesive to these pieces because the cover will be handled the most.

On the inside, I adhered one of the December Documented pockets to serve as a catch all for memorabilia or Christmas cards we receive. I use the three chipboard divider pages in the album to seperate days 1-10, 11-20 and 21-31. The divider pages serve as a nice break and it's a good place to put additional photos or journaling if needed. This year I took the die-cut Sn@p pages and made pockets with vellum and sequins behind the sheets. Then I adhered the sheets to the chipboard divider.

I always like to start my album with our family Christmas photo so that is what will go on page 1. As you can see, I set the pages up very simply with a number, Sn@p cards and sometimes patterned paper in each page protector. 

I like to break the album up by using the page protectors, the insert pages and the Sn@p pages as well.

Here is another divider page with the die-cut page, vellum pocket and sequins.

And here is the final divider page...

I always like to include a summary of the holiday season and I do so on the final page.

I hope you enjoyed looking through my base pages. I actually think I am going to use this album for 2010 because I have plans to create another album for 2013 with a kit from Gossamer Blue. 2010 is the one year that I didn't get a chance to create an album since the girls were born. I love how this one turned out so I am anxious to start filling it with photos and journaling! 

Have a great day!

Gossamer Blue: You Taught Me

Happy Monday! Hope you all had a great weekend! We had absolutely beautiful weather here in Iowa. We had family photos taken, went to two pumpkin patches and got a lot of work done around the house and yard. It was so fun and so busy, but I wish I had another weekend day to get the things done I wanted to...let's hope I can be as productive this week! 

Today my layout features the October kits from Gossamer Blue. My grandma turned 90 in September and we had a huge birthday party to celebrate. Some of the grandkids were joking around that they wanted individual photos with grandma (her favorites - ha!) after we took a large photo of all of us with her. But, I know that I will treasure this photo of the two of us forever. One of my cousins had us all write down memories with grandma and I decided to use some of what I had written to create this layout about the things grandma has taught me.

I used the heart cut file with my Cameo and then backed the hearts with patterned papers and outlined them for a little more texture and dimension. The card that I used for the title is by Elle's Studio and I kept to a green, black and white color scheme on this layout.

The transparent frames are by Crate Paper. I love the "happy times" rosette (also by Crate Paper) and the journaling card is by Elle's Studio.

 

Among all the events and business of life, be sure that you are documenting those special relationships (especially those with grandparents!)

Have a great day! I'll be back tomorrow with an epic post for Simple Stories featuring my Merry Memories album, Sn@p card sets and the December Documented collection.

CardMaker & Webster's Pages Blog Hop!

Happy Friday! Today the team at CardMaker magazine and designers at Webster's Pages are teaming up for a blog hop featuring the gorgeous Family Traditions collection by Adrienne Looman for Webster's Pages. You will also have a chance to win this collection by visiting all of the blogs in the hop!

I just love the fall colors in this collection set against a pretty woodgrain. This was my first opportunity to use one of the new bird frame charms = so cute!




I punched a leaf out and let that be the resting spot for the bird frame. The chipboard button was a pretty blue accent when placed in a visual triangle with the banner and trim.

Be sure to visit each stop along the way of the blog hop and leave a comment for your chance to win the Family Traditions collection!

CardMaker

*** Jill Cornell ***

Candice Elliott

Alice Golden

Gabrielle Pollacco

Emma Trout

Latisha Yoast

Jamie Harder

Stacey Michaud

Michelle Woerner

Jaz Lee Soo Hui

Emeline Seet

Rosemary Dennis

Diana Brodeur

Tanya Batrak

Stacy Morgan

Webster’s Pages

Have a great weekend! :) 

Stich Fix Review #6

Hello again! Stitch Fix box #6 has arrived! This time around I asked for polka dots, florals, lace, etc. in the form of blouses, cardigans, skirts and dresses. I also mentioned that I was looking for a fall jacket. Mia was my stylist this time around. My items ranged in price from $28-$68.

Here are my reviews for previous fixes: Stitch Fix Review #1, Stitch Fix Review #2, Stitch Fix Review #3, Stitch Fix Review #4, Stitch Fix Review #5

Here is what I received this month:

1) Miilla Saxon Asymmetrical Zip Jacket - The material is a soft, brown suede. When I requested a jacket, I was more looking for something fitted in a military style that I could wear outside for fall. The jacket they sent did not meet my expectations whatsoever. I did not like the asymmetrical cut at all - it just looked like it wasn't fitting me properly. The style card showed tanks underneath but I have no idea how you are supposed to show off anything underneath when it has an asymmetrical zipper. Fail!

2) Renee C Greyson Pont Swing Skirt - I really like the length of this basic, black skirt. It's a nice thicker knit material. I was maybe hoping for something with a little more pizzazz. But, I need to inventory my closet and see what I already have for black skirts before I make a final decision.

3) Under Skies Zelda Front Pocket Plaid Blouse - I had actually pinned this blouse on my Style board on Pinterest that I found on ModCloth's website, and my stylist noted that in my letter. I really like the colors in this one - very pretty for fall. 

4) Fun2Fun Donovan Dot Print Tie-Neck Blouse - I asked my stylist for polka dots and she delivered! I really like this navy blouse with tan polka dots and that bow-tie neck is adorable!

 

Here is a close-up of of the details of this blouse so you can see the neck better. 

5)  Caramela Astera Printed Cross-Front Short Sleeve Top - This top was a big disappointment to me! It felt like a scrub top and was not very flattering at all. I was also not a fan of the print. I wish I would have received a cardigan or a dress in its place. Fail.

Hmmm... so overall, I know right off the bat I will not be buying all 5 pieces. I do not like the jacket or the short sleeve blouse at all. I very much like the plaid blouse and the polka dot tie-neck blouse. I am thinking about the black skirt. What do you like?

Note: This post is not sponsored by Stitch Fix. I used my own money for the styling fee/items. But, I do earn a referral credit if you sign up via my referral link.

Gossamer Blue: 10 Years

Good morning! Today I have another layout to share with you that I created with the October Gossamer Blue kits. Both the main kit and Life Pages kits have sold out this month but I believe there are some add-on options still available! Every year for our anniversary I make a layout and add to a special album that highlights our date night. This year due to extenuating circumstances we didn't get a chance to go on a date until September (our anniversary is in July). But I'm so happy we waited because it was a great night out to celebrate the two of us. We went to one of my favorite fancier places to eat dinner and had a great conversation. Then, like most dates it seems these days we ran a few errands. You gotta do what you can when you are without kids! ;)

I layered a few of the frames by Elle's Studio with die-cut, chipboard and brad elements in the kits.

I machine stitched each of the strips in this Cut & Paste (from Amy Tangerine) patterned paper. I love the texture! I also used a Cut & Paste vellum pocket where I cut down an Elle's Studio tag (for my journaling) and then embellished with a Heidi Swapp word and Crate Paper wood veneer. 

Thanks for stopping by today! I made good progress on cleaning my bedroom yesterday and have more to do today. The girls go on their first preschool field trip this afternoon so we are going to go with for extra supervision - should be fun! :)

Hope your day is beautiful!

Webster's Pages: Picking Pumpkins with You

Good morning! Whew! Made it to the halfway point of a busy week. Today I have a new layout to share for Webster's Pages using the Family Traditions collection by Adrienne Looman. I absolutely adore the colors and patterns of this collection - so warm and cozy - and perfect for scrapping those fall photos! My in-laws usually accompany us to the pumpkin patch and these photos are from our time there last fall. a

I mixed up some alphabet stickers from Lily Bee and Webster's Pages. The pumpkin border is a punch from EK Success. I love that "These roots grow strong" sticker in the collection.

I used a variety of the mini bags to house my smaller wallet size photos and punched a few leaves.

I tucked the journaling into one of the bags.

Thanks for stopping by today! I better get moving. I am working on cleaning our bedroom today - I swear it is the one room I save for last so it almost never gets thoroughly cleaned. It might take me all day but I want to get it done! :)

Have a great day! :)

Gossamer Blue: Bible Buddies Awards Night

Good morning! Today I have another layout to share using the October Gossamer Blue kits. This one celebrates the first year of the girls completing Bible Buddies as part of our church's Awanas program. It was sooooo good for them to be part of this program last year. They were great at memorizing verses (M&M's helped sometimes - ha!) and they loved spending time with their friends each week learning about Jesus. Their volunteer teachers were pretty great too and it was a good experience to learn about taking directions and listening from someone other than mom and dad. And my dramatic, excited girls seemed to lead music time each week with a rousing round of the ABCs (I'm not sure if this is still happening this year or not). :) At any rate, I just had to document their awards night last spring.

I kept a lot of the focus on the larger photo of their group onstage and embellished with a few sticker from Glitz Design and a mix and match of alphabet stickers. 

I used one of the 4x6 exclusive Gossamer Blue cards, Crate Paper transparency frame and Elle's Studio frame for the other photos.

 

Thanks for stopping by today! I'm working on some cleaning (trying my Motivated Moms planner again to keep myself on task - I buy this every year and get on top of things every now and then - ha!), sending some paperwork off for a couple of magazine projects and then shopping early at a local consignment sale. Have a beautiful day! :)

Gossamer Blue: Scene Stealer

Happy Monday! So far it's been a great start to what is going to be a crazy busy week! Today I have my first layout to share with the October Gossamer Blue kits. This one was created with the main kit only. Every Mother's Day and Father's Day, we do a photo shoot with mommy and daddy respectively. Along with photos of both girls with either one of us, we try to do photos of each girl with mommy or daddy individually. I was taking photos of Nora & Glen and little Miss Lily decided to throw an epic pouting tantrum right in the camera's view and I happened to catch it. Such a sad little girl with her head down and shoulders hunched over - HA!

 

I wanted to draw attention to Lily so I used a die-cut arrow and wood veneer arrow to point her out. I love the numbered patterned paper here - that's a Gossamer Blue exclusive.

And I also had fun creating part of my title with my new Cameo!

Hope you all have a great day! I'm off to finish a little cleaning, make lunch for two girls and get them off to preschool.

Webster's Pages: Too Quickly

Happy Friday! Today I have a new layout featuring the "Recorded" collection by Allison Kreft for Webster's Pages. I wanted to focus on the Polaroid overlay so I cut out several of them and placed them across the page. I cut patterned paper to fit inside and then machine stitched the paper to the overlay. I took these photos of the girls recently before an afternoon of preschool and focused my journaling on how their are growing up too quickly (sniff, sniff!) ;)

I threaded one of the little camera charms with twine and adhered it to the layout.

The collection kits have file folder and journaling cards in them which is the only way to buy these products. I love the cameos and chipboard buttons too!

I outlined my title with a white pen to help it pop a little more against the woodgrain background.

 

Hope you all have a great weekend! I'm not exactly too sure of our plans. We are supposed to have family photos on Saturday but the weather is not looking great. I have a lot of work to do to sell some of our clothes, shoes, etc. at a consignment sale. 

Simple Stories: Merry Christmas Card Set

Today I have a couple of Christmas cards to share using the new December Documented collection from Simple Stories and templates from Kiwi Lane.

On the first card, I used the wavy borders from the Sunnybrook Lane border templates to make a winter scene. 

I love that cheerful snowman sticker that I tucked into the waves (snow drifts). I tied the chipboard candy canes together with a piece of baker's twine and tucked them in as well. 

 On my second card, I used the Tiny Brackets from Kiwi Lane as a template for the green polka dot patterned paper below the sticker sentiment.

I machine stitched the card and bracket piece for extra texture. Tiny brads were added to the present sticker. 

The templates were a quick and easy way to add shapes to my cards without the hassle of using a die-cut machine.

Have a great day!

Gossamer Blue: October Sneak Peeks

Hello friends! Today I have a few sneak peeks to share with you of the projects I created with the October Gossamer Blue kits. I created 6 layouts this month - one is a two-page layout that will debut sometime on the Gossamer Blue blog this month. I'll share each layout over the next few weeks.

Here is the one I created with the main kit only...

And the rest of these were created with the main kit and a combination of the add-on kits.

There is a Halloween Life Pages add-on this month and I loved working with it!

I also added a Cameo to my arsenal of scrapbooking tools and had fun working with the cut files included with the kits.

Thanks for stopping by today! Hope your day is great!

Gossamer Blue: Apples x3

Good morning! Can you believe it's October already? I have one more layout to share with you using the September Gossamer Blue kits. I finished up with the October kits yesterday and I can't wait to show you what I have been working on!

I find that a lot of my two-page layouts are created around a particular event where I might have hundreds of photos. Every fall, my family goes to our local apple orchard for an afternoon of fun. This past year, we were not able to pick our own apples because of an early frost but we still enjoyed the farm yard activities and were able to buy apples in the store.

For my titles, I wanted to mix and match the alphabets included in the kits. I also used one of the My Mind’s Eye chalkboard labels for one set of the alphabet stickers. I am really loving the printables each month – here I cut out a couple of the circles to use as embellishments.

I placed my journaling on one of the Life Pages 3×4 cards and tucked it behind my main focal point photo.

On the second page, I highlighted a close-up of baskets of apples by placing one of the My Mind’s Eye chalkboard frames right on top of the photo. I like that it doesn’t fit but just shows off a portion of the photo.

Finally, I wanted to bring out the apple theme some more so I created these funky apples by strategically punching them out of patterned paper and then layering buttons and enamel dots by My Mind’s Eye. I also placed one of the apples on a printable circle on the left-hand page.

I'll be back tomorrow with some sneak peeks of the October Gossamer Blue kits!