tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-114636452012-02-01T15:17:00.744-05:00chksngrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05744286731018456675noreply@blogger.comBlogger8131100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11463645.post-43224014039615796172012-01-30T08:00:00.000-05:002012-01-30T08:00:10.114-05:00

I guess I'm on an arcetecture kick this month...all my muses have had amazing building projects in January... I've been in the process of turning Jay's bedroom into something more big-boy-ish... In my pursuit of ideas, I came across a very cool Pirate Bedroom designed by Steve Kuhl. You should seriously click on this link and see all the amazing shots... My only concern is what you do if the

chksngrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05744286731018456675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11463645.post-29898512717712720362012-01-25T11:55:00.001-05:002012-01-25T11:56:36.107-05:00

Oh, you KNOW I had to get into the fray... The fray of listing my favorite CHA sneaks so far, I mean. I love to do this CHA window-shopping and see who is doing what and where the trends in paper crafting and hobby products are going. Just to be honest, I window (computer window's that is) shop way more than I ACTUALLY shop. Though, my studio would give some pause... In the end, before

chksngrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05744286731018456675noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11463645.post-16301656490074577222012-01-23T08:00:00.008-05:002012-01-23T08:00:05.547-05:00

Its no secret to most people that I would like to visit the Shire... You know, the place where the Hobbits live... Even tho, it looks more like this in real life... Even though sheep have moved in and are calling it their own. The fact that there will be a Hobbit movie and that they have, once again, created a shire for the movie has done nothing to assuage my desire. Then I stumbled

chksngrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05744286731018456675noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11463645.post-12877610066830585322012-01-20T19:14:00.001-05:002012-01-20T19:16:00.920-05:00

I'm pretty late on posting this, but its time for another installment of Counterfeit Kit Challenge. I actually had my kit done about a week ago, but I haven't had a lot of time to get things on my bloggy blog this last week. The inspiration kits are the December kits from Cocoa Daisy. The two I chose to counterfeit are the Amber Snowflake and Cocoa and Marshmallow kits: I was inspired by

chksngrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05744286731018456675noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11463645.post-74535894254181455052012-01-16T08:00:00.001-05:002012-01-16T08:00:04.259-05:00

Remember the Beijing Olympics and the amazing structures built for the events? The Water Cube, aka the Beijing National Aquatics Center was one of the great structures...it looked like this: NOW, it looks like this: Now that is one seriously cool upcycle... This is kind of a blow you away, I wish I could go to that water park in China muse... What'ca think? Peace!

chksngrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05744286731018456675noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11463645.post-28988641382092493722012-01-12T08:00:00.001-05:002012-01-12T10:04:44.594-05:00

Some time ago, I started counterfeiting kits following along with the Counterfeit Kit Challenge Blog. The first attempt I made to counterfeit a Studio Calico Kit. You can read more about which kit and my contents HERE: My counterfeit looked like this: I had not done ONE single layout from that kit as I had used several others instead as this one was put away in my studio and I hadn't gotten

chksngrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05744286731018456675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11463645.post-13781900967412916102012-01-10T08:00:00.000-05:002012-01-10T08:00:01.130-05:00

Hello, all! I've got two more layouts to show you on this two-for Tuesday. These are of the boys at approximately the same age - between 14 and 16 months - trying to fit themselves into tiny spaces. As I've done before, I tried to keep the layouts similar, but treat the pictures individually. The same sketch was used as a base. Its this one from October Afternoon: First is Basket Case:

chksngrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05744286731018456675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11463645.post-89727695567159390332012-01-04T13:35:00.002-05:002012-01-04T13:35:24.614-05:00

Some serious language going on at our house these days…little Boa is a TALKER (but really, with me AND Jayden in the house, how could he be anything else?!?!?!). He can really get going sometimes and its hard to follow along. I think his record sentence at the moment is 10 words…it was something about calling Daddy to bring him his paci and his medicine….The problem is that his brain is

chksngrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05744286731018456675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11463645.post-85924227851579090762012-01-03T11:54:00.000-05:002012-01-03T11:54:26.952-05:00

Hey, everyone!!! So sorry for the blogger silence! We were very busy having a peaceful and family filled few days for the New Year. But I'm back and ready to get going with 2012! This first Two for Tuesday is about the TWO things I'm doing in 2012 (or going to TRY to do, anyway). Here's my twist, tho...I'm going to be doing the 2011 versions because I DIDN'T do them in 2011, but still have the

chksngrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05744286731018456675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11463645.post-91895378921527439032011-12-29T14:08:00.002-05:002011-12-29T14:10:55.597-05:00

This is one of those posts that falls under the "I can't believe you post about this stuff" heading for my husband. He is constantly laughing at me because I take pictures of my scrapping, crafting, baking or other general life stuff. BUT, he texted me at work to tell me we were invited to a party that starts just as I will be arriving home. For a little girl. Girl stuff isn't exactly what I

chksngrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05744286731018456675noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11463645.post-70263133197045694192011-12-28T12:35:00.002-05:002011-12-28T12:35:30.577-05:00

For 2011, my OLW was BUILD. This is how BUILD is defined: to construct by assembling and joining parts or materials to establish, increase, or strengthen to mold, form, or create to increase or develop toward a maximum I know I have not done these things in my life this year... I'm going to do something about it... Rather than choose a NEW word for 2012... I'm going to REDO. I'm using

chksngrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05744286731018456675noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11463645.post-59117404954203131952011-12-25T08:00:00.000-05:002011-12-25T08:00:07.148-05:00

And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Cesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of

chksngrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05744286731018456675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11463645.post-16823736047075362382011-12-24T08:00:00.004-05:002011-12-24T08:00:04.158-05:00

Tonight we will read the Christmas Story from Luke and put out cookies and celery for benevolent Santa and say our prayers and sing Happy Birthday Jesus. And after everyone is in bed, I'll make myself a hot drink and settle with my camera in front of the tree to take my annual Christmas Eve tree photo, and remember that a baby was born to save my soul. I will remember that He could have come

chksngrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05744286731018456675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11463645.post-45194352885737288202011-12-23T08:00:00.001-05:002011-12-23T08:00:11.818-05:00

I've posted this here often in my blogging time...it never ceases to amaze me how something that seems so very complicated is, in fact, something quite simple. The credited author is Dr. James Allen Francis. Here is a man who was born in an obscure village, the child of a peasant woman. He grew up in another village. He worked in a carpenter shop until He was thirty. Then for three years

chksngrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05744286731018456675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11463645.post-69472520753488196862011-12-22T08:00:00.000-05:002011-12-22T08:00:10.567-05:00

I post this once a year...we firmly believe this way in our house... I remember my first Christmas party with Grandma. I was just a kid. I remember tearing across town on my bike to visit her on the day my big sister dropped the bomb: "There is no Santa Claus," she jeered. "Even dummies know that!" My grandma was not the gushy kind, never had been. I fled to her that day because I knew she

chksngrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05744286731018456675noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11463645.post-44601211809899018082011-12-21T10:06:00.001-05:002011-12-21T10:06:19.550-05:00

Two... Mr. Noah Boa is Two... Hard to believe this little bundle... Now is this little bundle of energy: At two, his favorite foods are grapes, french fries, fish crackers and raisins. He's an amazing sleeper...a full two hour nap each day plus a full night's sleep. YEA!!! He LOVES things that roll...so, essentially balls and cars. Mickey Mouse is one of his favorite characters - he

chksngrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05744286731018456675noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11463645.post-84883844746661790842011-12-20T09:46:00.000-05:002011-12-20T09:46:10.548-05:00

I love big Holiday meals...Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas... In my mind, it should be Ham, Turkey and Prime Rib, respectively, for these meals, but honestly, I'll take any large hunk of roasted meat and delectible sides...I'm not that picky. What I LOVE is that we see the fancy and/or traditional side dishes that come out...home-made cranberry relish, marshmallow-sweet potato casserole, butter

chksngrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05744286731018456675noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11463645.post-711399109955763302011-12-19T10:13:00.000-05:002011-12-19T10:13:52.209-05:00

I found this on Pinterest via my friend April. It originally comes from Kay Winiecki Designs. It is absolutely, positively brilliant. I'm totally doing it. Now, this muse inspired me to get creatively organized...totally something to be thinking about for the new year. And with two kids in school, LOTS of artwork and papers come home...I'm thinking this is the way to go. I can do it by

chksngrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05744286731018456675noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11463645.post-79943046136113530202011-12-15T12:58:00.001-05:002011-12-15T13:02:23.466-05:00

I find it amazing what ends up on our tree each year - especially since I used to have barely enough for one small tree. There are some ornaments that come out year after year - like a blown-glass clown with very, extremely, dangerously delicate feet (why do I bring that out every year again!?!?!?), while some ornaments are brand new - like those that Mr. Noah received just last year. We have

chksngrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05744286731018456675noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11463645.post-12499397139430482292011-12-14T13:08:00.000-05:002011-12-14T13:08:40.268-05:00

I think that how you wrap a gift is half the fun of giving... and lets, face it, who hasn't totally loved an amazingly packaged gift! Sometimes how a gift is packaged is the sole reason we buy it! For a couple of gifts this year, I've made CD's of favorite music - as I have in the past. Packaging in this case is easy - CD cover's with die cuts and stickers. The supplies for these all came

chksngrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05744286731018456675noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11463645.post-59508482782138100952011-12-13T08:00:00.003-05:002011-12-13T08:00:00.042-05:00

I have a bunch of presents that are being shipped around the country...and some for the teachers at the boy's school that needed a little extra something to look special. So, I made up a couple of batches of cool tags using scraps and some older supplies in my stash. These were made using some scraps I had from Jillibean Soup, Collage Press and one other that I cannot remember. The stickers are

chksngrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05744286731018456675noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11463645.post-64895710942338974372011-12-12T10:51:00.000-05:002011-12-12T10:51:57.120-05:00

Today's muse is courtesy of Christy Tomlinson and her amazing multi-media art: I'm in love with the shabby, glowing, glorious quality of it... How about you? Peace, ya'll!

chksngrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05744286731018456675noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11463645.post-49416487122454668122011-12-07T14:08:00.000-05:002011-12-07T14:08:48.727-05:00

Breathe in. Breathe out. Breathe in. Panic would be such an easy way to go right now... You see, there is SO MUCH TO DO!!! There is an Elf on the Shelf. There are Christmas CD's to be made. There are photo projects. I'm doing December Daily so I remember to SLOW DOWN and enjoy some of the month. There are still gifts to purchase. And wrap. And ship. Or hide. There are cookies to be

chksngrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05744286731018456675noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11463645.post-62361948073004129722011-11-29T11:18:00.000-05:002011-11-29T11:18:58.297-05:00

Today's Two for Tuesday is brought to you by the letter C...and also H, R, I, S, T, M, A, and S. Today I bring you two of the CUTEST ornaments I've seen in awhile...Santa and Reindeer... These are beautifully created by etsy seller A Casa do Quaxinim: They seriously make me want to go buy some felt and get sewing! Peace, ya'll!!

chksngrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05744286731018456675noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11463645.post-68117599541554364962011-11-28T13:23:00.002-05:002011-11-28T13:23:23.948-05:00

Today's muse is unexpected and totally cute and something I wish I had thought of. From the etsy shop of Shop All Things, I bring you Scrabble ornaments: Now, don't you totally wish YOU had thought of that too??!??!?!

chksngrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05744286731018456675noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11463645.post-40444701453580661462011-11-24T08:00:00.000-05:002011-11-24T08:00:05.736-05:00

“But Thanksgiving is more than eating, Chuck. You heard what Linus was saying out there. Those early Pilgrims were thankful for what had happened to them, and we should be thankful, too. We should just be thankful for being together. I think that's what they mean by 'Thanksgiving,' Charlie Brown. “ ~Marcie, A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving ~ May you be "together" with those you love most and

chksngrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05744286731018456675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11463645.post-91937847956115362462011-11-23T08:00:00.000-05:002011-11-23T08:00:08.702-05:00

Counterfeit Kit Challenge Blog posted a really cool challenge to use Scrapbook's Etc's Craft It Forward November project with your November Counterfeit Kit. My plan was to provide something for the tablescape at my Mother In Law's for our Thanksgiving meal. She does ALL the cooking (I do some sides, but the lion's share of the work is done by her and so I wanted to do something nice!). PLUS she

chksngrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05744286731018456675noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11463645.post-75605762856869055752011-11-22T08:00:00.000-05:002011-11-22T08:00:04.942-05:00

I'll be back to show you some interesting things tomorrow for Thanksgiving, but until then, here are two layouts from my November Counterfeit Kit. Remember when I told you about my process for Preparing for a Crop? Well, I got a couple of sets of pictures/sketches out to do these layouts. What I couldn't believe was how FAST these two pages went together...I believe they will both be repeats in

chksngrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05744286731018456675noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11463645.post-27063706949467956672011-11-21T14:59:00.000-05:002011-11-21T14:59:31.357-05:00

Ok, I'm breaking my only rule - no Christmas til after Thanksgiving. Truth is, I've got Christmas on my mind. Mostly because our budget, like everyone's, I think, has gotten tighter and tighter...and Christmas will take some planning. But I digress - normally, I don't do Christmas until after Thanksgiving is DONE...because I LOVE Thanksgiving and doing Christmas earlier than the day after

chksngrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05744286731018456675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11463645.post-73035710245341902072011-11-15T14:15:00.000-05:002011-11-15T14:15:48.388-05:00

Counterfeit Kit Challenge Blog posted an AWESOME Tag You're It challenge yesterday!!! For this one, I reached for some plain manila tags and got out my Hot Dog, Pony and Plumb Thumb mists. I used one of my Maya Road chipboard leaves as a mask on the tags. Then I used a layout by Kim Watson in the latest CK as a sketch base. (unfortunately, i cannot find a link to it). Here is what I came up

chksngrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05744286731018456675noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11463645.post-90092068293459600722011-11-14T08:00:00.000-05:002011-11-14T08:00:10.161-05:00

Today's muse was found on Traditional Home.. Now lets be honest...my home is far from traditional...its also far from modern, far from country, far from contemporary...what it is not far from is middle class suburban home with two small boys, a full time DAD and trees that always seem to be shedding their leaves on our lawn... My home also suffers from bare-wall syndrome. I don't know if its

chksngrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05744286731018456675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11463645.post-14974350804720872011-11-11T09:06:00.000-05:002011-11-11T09:06:53.680-05:00

These tidbits were found on the Christian Science Monitor: 1. Vietnam War Vietnam War(1964-75): Many of the 8.8 million who served in uniform were draftees; 7.6 million are alive today. 2. Korean War Korean War(1950-53): Often called "the forgotten war," it finally had a memorial dedicated to it in Washington in 1995. Of the 5.7 million Americans who served, 2.7 million survive. 3. Operation

chksngrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05744286731018456675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11463645.post-3042582603101781292011-11-07T08:00:00.002-05:002011-11-07T08:00:19.432-05:00

Today's Muse comes to us from photographer Kani Polat. I actually saw this photo as a contest entry for National Geographic.. But after investigation, I'm just stunned at the photography that Mr. Polat does...its just beautiful. This is a muse of juxtaposition. What could you do with this? Peace, ya'll!

chksngrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05744286731018456675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11463645.post-31124746889968855672011-11-06T08:00:00.004-05:002011-11-06T12:29:42.046-05:00

In case you missed THIS POST, I’m Guest Designing this month over at the Counterfeit Kit Challenge Blog. The inspiration kits this month are amazing kits from Scraptastic Club. They have two full kits to choose from for counterfeiting this month plus two add ons…I chose to Counterfeit the Autumn Splendor kit plus add on. This is their Autumn Splendor kit: I just love the tones and totally

chksngrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05744286731018456675noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11463645.post-33411188750925423722011-11-04T11:59:00.002-04:002011-11-04T12:12:40.254-04:00

I'm totally in the counterfeit mode right now... There are a lot of reasons for this: I'm in super-frugal mode due to living on a tight budget with Christmas on the horizon, I'm totally jazzed about being challenged to do things myself (have you ever looked at something and thought, "I could do that"?), AND I'm Guest Designing over at Counterfeit Kit Challenge Blog this month...all of which has

chksngrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05744286731018456675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11463645.post-1888461548811726902011-11-03T08:00:00.012-04:002011-11-03T08:00:11.355-04:00

My little guy is in full acquisition mode when it comes to words, these days… Some of his expressions have grown new meanings. For example: I hunree – means the usual, I’m hungry, but apparently also means “I see you have M&M’s and I’m going to pester you until you give me one.” Jaydee – He’s started to call his brother Jayden, rather than just Jay…he regularly wakes his brother up by

chksngrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05744286731018456675noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11463645.post-30586400012959178552011-11-02T08:00:00.000-04:002011-11-02T11:20:42.849-04:00

Did you see my mug shot??? Its over HERE That's right.... Stay tuned for more on THAT little subject. I can't wait to show you! Peace, ya'll!

chksngrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05744286731018456675noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11463645.post-43563809893857906152011-11-01T08:00:00.002-04:002011-11-01T12:29:40.202-04:00

Not that you want to get to know me any better…but blogging is one of those things where I can capture what is going on RIGHT NOW… So…this is a list of 10 things about me just right now in my life… 1) I read magazines backwards. Editors are VERY good at flow in magazines…I can get to the end of a magazine all too quickly and not even remember what I read. So, I start in the back and read the

chksngrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05744286731018456675noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11463645.post-62969010053881096832011-10-31T09:05:00.000-04:002011-10-31T09:05:03.055-04:00

Today's Muse is simple...and encouraging...and rightly colored...with a really fun font. I found it HERE.

chksngrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05744286731018456675noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11463645.post-71542356684566262722011-10-25T12:30:00.000-04:002011-10-25T12:30:03.651-04:00

Make that TEN for Tuesday... Sadly, they are not scrapbooking pages I'm going to share... but GLADLY, they are some potential DIY Christmas ideas for you: These ideas call all be seen on HERE on Babble. I just LOVE them! What are YOU making by hand these days?

chksngrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05744286731018456675noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11463645.post-28093325090898563792011-10-24T08:00:00.000-04:002011-10-24T08:00:03.939-04:00

I have a new love... Its name is Older and Wisor...er...her name is Rebecca...er...well...she's got a brilliant blog that has just about every idea I've ever seen for wrapping on it. THIS is the muse for today and its from Older and Wisor: Is that not the most brilliant package idea? I'm totally copying. I could see it on a scrapbook page... Or an art piece... Or a shirt... Where could

chksngrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05744286731018456675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11463645.post-77007520916079547012011-10-21T08:00:00.001-04:002011-10-21T08:00:03.838-04:00

This is mostly a post for those who like cute kid posts...and of course for my mom: These are some of the shots from this year's Pumpkin Patch adventure that included Noah for the first time. Notice how few pumpkins there actually are? That is because, #1 there was too much else to keep two little boys running around and #2 all the pumpkins had been PICKED and were on a stand for the kids

chksngrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05744286731018456675noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11463645.post-71929945786523469912011-10-20T08:00:00.001-04:002011-10-20T08:00:03.827-04:00

Here's another layout from my October Counterfeit Kit. I love to do photo collages this way...its fun to cut the photos down and then arrange and rearrange them until I get what I want. Its not my usual way of doing a layout - I love a good sketch as a starting place - but it is great freedom to do a layout this way once in awhile. Printed Paper: For the Record Newsprint from Bella

chksngrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05744286731018456675noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11463645.post-18702487779521098312011-10-19T08:00:00.003-04:002011-10-19T09:32:51.550-04:00

I promised I'd post this little tutorial for you today. Enjoy! I’ve noticed a lot of embellishments that are stacked layers of bits and pieces. They seem to be everywhere. Even Creating Keepsakes magazine had a little section on building layered “medals” from various types of materials. Since I have tons of scraps (I find it hard to throw the beautiful bits away!) and a punch or two, I

chksngrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05744286731018456675noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11463645.post-49770987111722964492011-10-18T08:00:00.002-04:002011-10-18T08:00:12.034-04:00

I've been having fun with my October Counterfeit Kit. Its been a great kit to clean up all my Halloween and pumpkin patch photos from last year... I started by doing "costume" photos for each of the boys. I've been in the habit of scrapping the same event in similar ways for each of them. It isn't often that I do a layout without journaling, but these layouts didn't really need it. The

chksngrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05744286731018456675noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11463645.post-36411553977173499372011-10-17T08:00:00.000-04:002011-10-17T08:00:13.815-04:00

This is courtesy of Better Homes & Gardens. I'm in love with the colors and the pumpkin... We don't usually do Halloween in the typical fashion in our home. but we DO love a good pumpkin...they decorate our front porch with some hay bales and mums...got any creative use for pumpkins? I'd love to hear them!

chksngrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05744286731018456675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11463645.post-75192207444855184032011-10-14T08:00:00.000-04:002011-10-14T08:00:15.788-04:00

My October Counterfeit Kit seemed a little lean on baubles when i put it together. I searched through my stash but couldn't find anything I thought was a right fit for my kit. So, I decided to make some little embellies for this kit. I'll be posting a tutorial on how these can be made in the next few days... Fun, right? Peace, ya'll!!

chksngrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05744286731018456675noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11463645.post-65229374926943189172011-10-13T12:13:00.001-04:002011-10-13T12:14:25.351-04:00

Today, is the anniversary of the day the world got a little sweeter - because on this day, in...well...a long time ago, this guy was born: Life with him is always a little funny and silly and crazy...and there always seems to be hysterical laughter. AS you can see, the nuts in this family didn't fall far from the tree...both boys take a lot of their zany sense of humor and fun from their

chksngrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05744286731018456675noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11463645.post-11301024661555168972011-10-12T10:09:00.001-04:002011-10-12T10:10:59.427-04:00

Hard to believe that this: Has become this: Five years ago today, I gave birth to the "sweetest" little boy...even the nurses wanted to come and see him because he would actually look into their eyes, like he was getting to know them. He's been a hammy, happy crazy cool kid all his life. We just dig him. Happy Birthday, My Bug!

chksngrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05744286731018456675noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11463645.post-65379832703006472882011-10-10T08:00:00.000-04:002011-10-10T08:00:07.911-04:00

Ok...I actually have TWO muses for you today...they are the same, but different...both from Anthropologie. They are these gorgeous dishtowels... Would you be willing to put such a stunning dishtowel out for use in your kitchen? I just love them. I want them. I'm thinking they would make the BEST handtowels for a little powder room. Or maybe great pillow cases? How about lining them up a

chksngrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05744286731018456675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11463645.post-89375166816875357312011-10-09T13:44:00.001-04:002011-10-09T13:45:49.049-04:00

Time for another Counterfeit Kit Challenge. This month there were two options for kits...the September 2010 Little Red Scrapbooking monthly kit (a little too springy for me) and a Halloween kit. You can see both kits HERE.. While we don't really celebrate Halloween, we do let the kids get dressed up and trick-or-treat and we also head to a pumpkin patch to enjoy the sights and sounds of a

chksngrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05744286731018456675noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11463645.post-43734295566411322482011-10-07T08:00:00.001-04:002011-10-07T08:00:13.909-04:00

We have not done pumpkin carving in my house for a very long time...like decades... But I'm always completely blown away by the creative ways that pumpkins are used to decorate... Now all of the ideas I'm about to share with you are "nice" ideas as my kiddo would say...they are non-scary and really so clever... All of these images are from the Better Homes and Garden's site: The bird's nest

chksngrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05744286731018456675noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11463645.post-19344340302125103392011-10-05T12:15:00.000-04:002011-10-05T12:15:56.148-04:00

I've been trying to find and/or do creative things to post for you this week. Really, I have.... But I'm kind of in a funk. September was a very hard month for our household...there were three cases of virus, one of which landed us in the emergency room. There was a second trip to the emergency room in an ambulance (everyone is fine, but it was a little scary at the time). There were some

chksngrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05744286731018456675noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11463645.post-86682722685562171422011-10-03T08:00:00.000-04:002011-10-03T08:00:00.736-04:00

LOVE looking at the Ruche site... They have an aesthetic that I get...which is something I cannot say for a number of the more well known chain stores out there. THIS is the gorgeous muse for today, directly from the Ruche The Industry catalog: I love pretty much everything about it... The glorious color, the lines, the steampunk-ish background... What does this muse inspire for YOU!?!?!

chksngrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05744286731018456675noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11463645.post-62186763150883794272011-09-30T08:00:00.000-04:002011-09-30T08:00:17.735-04:00

I started this post some time ago, but never finished it... When we headed back to school this year, I was kind of strapped for ideas... But I came across these adorable little apple post-it note dispensers and office supply caddies at Walmart. So, I got three post-it note dispensers, four office supply caddies, and a plaque with a scripture on it for the director and teachers at the boy's

chksngrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05744286731018456675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11463645.post-89448140916621060342011-09-28T08:00:00.000-04:002011-09-28T08:00:20.751-04:00

I’ve been rather enamored with the many ideas I’ve seen recently for art parties…My older boy has a birthday coming up and I would love to be able to manage a full-on art party for him. Alas, that isn’t going to work out this year, but I wanted to make him feel special by taking some goodie bags to his class. Thanks to school supply sales, I was able to combine my art party idea and the

chksngrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05744286731018456675noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11463645.post-87129749538777029442011-09-26T10:03:00.005-04:002011-09-26T10:03:00.147-04:00

I'm a sucker for cupcakes anyway... But a cupcake in DISGUISE...have to try it...HAVE TO!!! These are courtesy of Lisa Storms. I have no idea what the world you would do with this muse... I just like it... So there you go! Any way its a fitting way to say HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my sis, Kellie: (She's tremendously fun and totally adores my boys....can you tell?) Since I can't deliver cupcakes

chksngrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05744286731018456675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11463645.post-585222600235807972011-09-23T08:00:00.001-04:002011-09-23T08:00:17.610-04:00

For the two layouts I'm showing you today, the starting sketch was the same. Its this one from Sketchy Thursdays: The first layout is called Sprinklers and is the closest approximation to the sketch. The biggest difference is the size of the patterned papers and that I added a frame to the pictures. This one has some OLD supplies...just goes to show you that the old stuff can still look great!

chksngrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05744286731018456675noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11463645.post-39877079264696558972011-09-21T08:00:00.001-04:002011-09-21T08:00:21.922-04:00

My dad made a toast once about all the hats he wore... Apparently his grandson is following in his footsteps: Peace, ya'll!

chksngrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05744286731018456675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11463645.post-12140620218780301492011-09-19T08:00:00.000-04:002011-09-19T08:00:01.752-04:00

Do you like Bakerella? I do...I LOVE Bakerella...not that my family actually sees any products of my obsessions... I'm terribly in love with THIS little image she post a bit ago on making your own gumdrops...seriously so pretty...and yummy... This is totally cookable...and scrapbable...and if anybody is redecorating a girls room, here's your palette! Peace, ya'll!

chksngrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05744286731018456675noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11463645.post-54086241781873223472011-09-16T08:00:00.000-04:002011-09-16T08:00:06.385-04:00

Never offer the nearly-two-year old a drink of your smoothie. You'll never get it back: Not until its all gone. Peace, ya'll!

chksngrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05744286731018456675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11463645.post-59872909547807842242011-09-14T08:00:00.001-04:002011-09-14T08:00:14.345-04:00

I do love those pictures of kids with absolutely messy faces from eating things they love. We are in no shortage of those around here, even from the utensil savvy big boy: But this is about the LITTLE one...he loves pasta. Its one of his favorites (he is my kid, after all). What got me when I was sorting through these was the way he holds a spoon...he's already got the precision grip. He's

chksngrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05744286731018456675noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11463645.post-46432844511879745292011-09-13T08:00:00.000-04:002011-09-13T08:05:02.419-04:00

In my many wanderings this weekend, I found these amazing little upcycles: There is an amazing little tutorial over at Design Reverb that shows how to turn these: Into a super cool and creative business card holder: Neat, huh? Peace, ya'll!

chksngrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05744286731018456675noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11463645.post-22684576720669779342011-09-12T08:00:00.000-04:002011-09-12T08:00:10.724-04:00

September....when did it suddenly become September? Fall is probably my most favorite season - its still warm enough to enjoy the outdoors, the colors are as vibrant as any spring, but richer, and there is anticipation in the air. It seems fitting that I would post a Muse for the first Monday in September that celebrated harvest and lushness and all that gorgeous abundance that autumn brings.

chksngrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05744286731018456675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11463645.post-32015411682824361162011-09-09T08:00:00.005-04:002011-09-09T08:00:15.293-04:00

My chillies actually started school two weeks ago...but its been a challenge to get to my PC to do anything with the pictures. Bad Mommy. But here I am today to show you the shiny new students we have for this year. It was very, very easy to get Jayden to give us that back to school shot. He is, after all, an old pro at this: This, I think, is the money shot, tho. He did this without my

chksngrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05744286731018456675noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11463645.post-55510935189981905122011-09-07T08:00:00.002-04:002011-09-07T08:00:03.307-04:00

My primary way of scrapbooking is working from sketches...either modifications of those I find online or my own that I create for the pictures I have. Its the easiest place to start - kind of like blueprint for building a home. I found this sketch a bit ago on October Afternoon's Blog and pinned it on Pinterest. I ended up using it to do TWO layouts of the kids eating popsicles...the first was

chksngrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05744286731018456675noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11463645.post-92028437359227705292011-09-05T08:00:00.000-04:002011-09-05T08:00:12.448-04:00

Its my one last fling with summery colors...I just can't stand how gorgeous this is! This little beauty is from Olivia Collins Photography.. I discovered it on Creature Comforts. This is a color combo I want to apply to some summer photos...Maybe I'll build a kit around it. I'm for sure taking the color combo shopping with me!!!

chksngrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05744286731018456675noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11463645.post-84881430453887743012011-08-31T09:37:00.000-04:002011-08-31T09:37:31.987-04:00

If you don't eat breakfast, even when your mommy and daddy ask you to repeatedly... And you go to school with an empty tummy... And you decide that you are going to do things your way instead of the teachers way... And you get a yellow face (instead of a green happy one!) on your calendar... Then, this just might be what you have to do when Daddy finds out: Just sayin' Peace, ya'll!

chksngrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05744286731018456675noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11463645.post-57130958692258119312011-08-29T08:00:00.001-04:002011-08-29T08:00:15.217-04:00

I love books. Its a love my kids now share....even in this digital age, there is nothing quite like turning the pages of a book...especially if its an old one. I found this image on Whimsy and Wonder. There is only one staircase in the house, and with toddlers still learning to navigate it, the soft carpet is probably a better idea for now. BUT this is definately being added to my Pinterest

chksngrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05744286731018456675noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11463645.post-60479305697797732422011-08-22T08:00:00.002-04:002011-08-22T08:00:18.895-04:00

I'm forever intrigued by the way weddings are being done these days. From colored shoes to weddings in fairy wings, the wedding scene is much much much more personalized than ever. I'm particularly in love with this picture from Heavenly Blooms because of the colors. The idea that ALL of the wedding party would be wearing a bit of hot pink on their feet is awesome. Besides I love colorful

chksngrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05744286731018456675noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11463645.post-36026921882890857902011-08-19T13:42:00.000-04:002011-08-19T13:42:01.513-04:00

My little is an extremely brave and fiercely independent little guy. At first, we kind of thought of him as our all-action-few-words guy. He didn't do a lot of talking unless he DIDN'T want something...THIS for example, means NO! Then the jabbering began...He's jabbered away a mile a minute for some time now...always with the conversational tone, like he was really explaining something to us.

chksngrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05744286731018456675noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11463645.post-55215026922653858522011-08-15T08:00:00.001-04:002011-08-15T09:25:53.502-04:00

Popcorn is somewhat elusive to me. It always smells better than it tastes to me...well...unless you add a butter and salt...or parmesean cheese...or seasoning salt...or garlic...ok, sorry...I'm back. Regardless of whether or not popcorn is elusive to ME, I thought this one of my most favorite frugal ideas. See, my kiddos and hubs LOVE popcorn...movie theater butter popcorn...which, frankly,

chksngrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05744286731018456675noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11463645.post-62229514964590444292011-08-12T08:00:00.001-04:002011-08-12T08:00:08.064-04:00

Ali Edwards posted a really cute post about how her little girl is coloring on herself the other day. It got me thinking about the fun times we've had around our house with crayons and markers. Jay's quite the little artist. I'm never sure whether I should be dismayed or thrilled at his budding artistic talents. Mommy: What is the world are you supposed to be? Jayden: A tiger...rawr....

chksngrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05744286731018456675noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11463645.post-31890976966161121402011-08-11T08:00:00.003-04:002011-08-11T08:00:19.139-04:00

August is always an odd month to me. Its hot. Sometimes unbearable. All the trees and grass and plants look a little worn out, like all that summer growing has exhausted them. But then, there is the preparation for heading back to school. School here will begin on 8/22...it seems like a life time away, yet it is so close. Where did summer go? But, when will fall be here, already? It seems

chksngrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05744286731018456675noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11463645.post-45675577572663569932011-08-09T08:00:00.003-04:002011-08-09T08:53:03.879-04:00

I've mentioned a couple of times that I'm preparing for two crops at the Creating Keepsakes Convention. When I'm preparing for my crops, I know the following: 1) I have to have to fill approximately 10 hours of crop time 2) I cannot take my entire scrapbook studio with me (BUMMER!) 3) I work better with a plan 4) I need to be able to transition my process from the crop to home for the things I

chksngrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05744286731018456675noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11463645.post-52764039590012310112011-08-08T08:00:00.001-04:002011-08-08T08:00:07.528-04:00

I stumbled on House of Turquoise quite by accident. Its one gorgeous blog, tho. It should be noted that "blues" is my favorite color. (all you musicians out there just give a groan!) But seriously...I love the Blues... And I love the blues...all blues...I'm convinced there is a shade for every occasion!1 Something about this muse... I could sit and stare at the serene peacefulness for a

chksngrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05744286731018456675noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11463645.post-23780332366891543262011-08-05T08:00:00.004-04:002011-08-05T08:00:08.368-04:00

I’m about to go off on a tangent…so brace yourself. It isn’t often that I get political or even controversial on this blog…Its just not the forum I choose to use for that sort of thing. I'm not even going to get overly political or controversial NOW...its just that I have something on my mind. I hope you will indulge me on a non-craft platform for a moment. But my husband asked me an

chksngrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05744286731018456675noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11463645.post-76540678084274836532011-08-01T08:00:00.000-04:002011-08-01T08:00:10.989-04:00

If we were anywhere near the Montreal to see the Musee des Possibles, I would have had the most rapturous little boys in the world... As we were NO where near, I'll have to inspire with a photo from the event: Now, that's a serious muse. Go create! Peace, ya'll!

chksngrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05744286731018456675noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11463645.post-66652174300201032642011-07-29T08:00:00.000-04:002011-07-29T08:00:07.146-04:00

Sometimes I look at art and I get it. Sometimes I look at art and I’m confused.  Sometimes it’s the same art, just different days. Sometimes I wish we still lived in California so I could go to the beach and see my friends. Sometimes I’m so glad we don’t live in California anymore. Sometimes I’m thrilled when others identify with things I post about. Sometimes I’m dismayed that I felt so

chksngrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05744286731018456675noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11463645.post-62350682964714916402011-07-25T08:00:00.000-04:002011-07-25T08:00:04.291-04:00

My husband and older son aren't exactly fans of watermelon. Its not that they dislike it...its that they don't like it...its  a neutral fruit. Take it or leave it. On the other hand, I love watermelon...all kinds of melon, actually. One of my favorite summer treats growing up was a melon and strawberries fruit salad my mom always made.  I never get to eat that salad at home with my kids because

chksngrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05744286731018456675noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11463645.post-2552793614778539102011-07-18T08:00:00.001-04:002011-07-18T08:00:06.916-04:00

Today's Muse is another courtesy of A Creative Mint This project would look good in my office!!! So much to be inspired by here...butterflies, that gorgeous muslin background, the grid pattern and the colors... What do you think of this muse? Peace!

chksngrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05744286731018456675noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11463645.post-60534251133026699132011-07-15T10:28:00.000-04:002011-07-15T10:28:36.624-04:00

Oh, the CHA stuff is coming out fast and furious now!!! Here are a few additions to my desires: Jillibean Soup's Christmas Eve Chowder - CUTE PENGUINS!! Studio Calico's Journal Kits and Huey Masks: American Crafts Daydreams line: Crate Paper's new Farmhouse Collection has some sweet things...they are MASTERS at the cute button ensembles! And I do really love their Random Collection

chksngrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05744286731018456675noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11463645.post-86501366742153392882011-07-13T08:00:00.003-04:002011-07-13T08:00:12.388-04:00

There are action figures in the dish drainer... Ducks on the coffee table... And Buzz Lightyear having an "Operation" on the kitchen table... Yep... Boys live here.

chksngrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05744286731018456675noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11463645.post-59067431677328339522011-07-11T08:00:00.000-04:002011-07-11T08:00:06.069-04:00

Today's Muse is courtesy of A Creative Mint - a site I am particularly inspired by...Just look at these colors!!! This is the sort of pallet I wish my house were decorated with. Its right up my alley...alas, white and little boys doesn't really work...maybe when they are older??? I'd love to scrap this color combo...maybe with a little craft. That gives me an idea! What about you? What do

chksngrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05744286731018456675noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11463645.post-69547482865885595212011-07-08T20:09:00.000-04:002011-07-08T20:09:59.212-04:00

Its that time again to counterfeit a kit. This month Counterfeit Kit Challenge chose a kit that is a year old for inspiration. The kit is the July 2010 Main Kit from Polka Dot Whimsy: When I first got a load of this kit, I wasn’t sure I was going to participate. The colors felt a little too much for me and it seemed like there was an awful lot going on visually with this kit. BUT I have

chksngrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05744286731018456675noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11463645.post-22525165950461237532011-07-07T08:00:00.002-04:002011-07-07T08:00:09.125-04:00

If you know me, you know I love scrapbooking... I always eagerly watch the CHA sneaks looking for something fun and interesting...Since CHA starts on July 19th, there are a lot of product sneaks out there this week. So far, this is what I'm loving.... Echo Park's Country Drive - this is one of my favorite papers from that collection: I'm loving Basic Grey's new Picadilly line: Jillibean

chksngrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05744286731018456675noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11463645.post-77197461308798664932011-07-06T11:18:00.000-04:002011-07-06T11:18:42.557-04:00

AKA Gratuitous pictures of my cute kids... Well...summer is fully in swing in our household... So far there has been: Fishing: Hot Dog roasting: Swinging: Sprinklers (or avoiding sprinklers in Noah's case): Tennis Camp: And LOTS of popsciles! (Noah is a NATURAL at popsicle eating!) And NEXT week...SWIMMING LESSONS! WOOHOO!!! (I'm pretty sure there will be drama...Jayden

chksngrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05744286731018456675noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11463645.post-17631521975623440242011-07-05T09:21:00.007-04:002011-07-05T22:58:44.324-04:00

Today Scrapbooking From the Inside Out is THREE!!! (Well, on July 2nd they were. By the way, if its a website, is it an anniversary or a birthday???) ANYWAY, they are CELEBRATING with a blog hop...and there are PRIZES! If you got here from Jamie's Blog , WELCOME!! If you are just starting here, head on back to Melissa's Blog to get started...because, THERE ARE PRIZES! (Did I mention that

chksngrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05744286731018456675noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11463645.post-27038565981474869762011-07-04T08:00:00.002-04:002011-07-04T08:00:02.516-04:00

The Flag (photo by Jane M. Sawyer, courtesy of morguefile.com) And stay tuned for a BLOG HOP tomorrow!!!!

chksngrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05744286731018456675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11463645.post-18418395300553445662011-06-30T08:00:00.002-04:002011-06-30T08:00:01.003-04:00

Well...its time to post my very last layout as a Design Team member for Scrapbooking From the Inside Out. It is somehow fitting that my last theme would be OPTIMISM and that my last layout would be SUNSHINE!! SFTIO has certainly been a way for me to let the sunshine into my life...it got me thinking deep and hard about some things. It got me onto my own scrapbook pages...something my boys

chksngrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05744286731018456675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11463645.post-27462167347947605732011-06-28T08:00:00.001-04:002011-06-28T08:00:08.436-04:00

Still working on getting some kits ready for the Creating Keepsakes Convention at the end of August. I love the Studio Calico Over the Moon Kit for June: Here is my take: I tried to get a very close approximation for each paper from my own stash. I subbed journaling cards from Simple stories for the Smash Pad and library pockets for the Smash Pockets. Here is what is in this one:

chksngrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05744286731018456675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11463645.post-39019686458946798302011-06-27T08:00:00.000-04:002011-06-27T08:00:06.693-04:00

This is a little ditty from Kismet Tile. I'm not entirely sure I'm hip and modern enough for this, but it is certainly cool. There is a lot to be inspired about here. The colors. The MIX of colors. The shape of these tiles. The idea of rethinking something ages old to make it fit a modern aesthetic. Its just a cool little muse. Peace, ya'll!

chksngrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05744286731018456675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11463645.post-37020786805372425842011-06-26T14:56:00.000-04:002011-06-26T14:56:48.914-04:00

Better late than never, I've finally done my version for the June Counterfeit Kit Challenge. I'm building kits for the Creating Keepsakes Convention at the end of August. I know it seem early, but I've 10 hours of cropping to think about, so I'm building kits and putting together my pictures and sketches now, as I come across a few hours in my week that isn't full of work or summer fun. So...

chksngrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05744286731018456675noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11463645.post-20950733098741038942011-06-23T08:00:00.001-04:002011-06-23T08:00:03.187-04:00

Sometimes, when I'm working through the ideas for a Scrapbooking From the Inside Out kit, I just don't have the pictures to reflect what I'm thinking. The OPTIMISM kit was no exception. I kept thinking that there is nothing more optimistic than a seed - it dies to itself in order to be born again into the sunlight. And if you've ever watched seeds sprout, you know that once they break that

chksngrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05744286731018456675noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11463645.post-28018665853951841262011-06-21T08:00:00.022-04:002011-08-15T10:54:50.140-04:00

I already mentioned the Counterfeit Kit Challenge post about the Smash Books . You can see my first smash book HERE. I mentioned that I would be doing this for some friends to use as journals for the Creating Keepsakes Convention we are going to in August. This time, I slightly modified a really good tutorial by Francine Clouden for a peek-a-boo spiral back. I made my cover a bit differently

chksngrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05744286731018456675noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11463645.post-39257266141267787522011-06-20T08:00:00.000-04:002011-06-20T08:00:07.329-04:00

WARNING!!! PHOTO HEAVY!!! Its been two weeks and its time I did a bit of a recap. I'm not one to be like that couple you know who invite you over to show you all the photos of their trip with the very long and detailed description of each and every picture.... But I will give you some highlights. Most of the trip looked like this: BUT, then we got to Grandma and Grandpa's and there was

chksngrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05744286731018456675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11463645.post-46894975210385206832011-06-16T08:00:00.000-04:002011-06-16T08:00:05.816-04:00

I don't think I could ever explore a topic like Optimism without thinking of my husband Scott. He's one of the most optimistic people I know...He really sees what is good in a situation and he really believes that no matter what happens, it will all be a blessing. He is also a master at the Babe Ruth School of thought. You know about Babe Ruth right? Babe Ruth was a World Series Champion 7

chksngrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05744286731018456675noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11463645.post-72790242680478666862011-06-12T12:00:00.001-04:002011-08-15T10:55:09.016-04:00

There is a huge trend in scrapbooking right now called Smash Books. They are remarkably like something called a Junque Journal. You can see a GREAT example of a Junque Journal done by Bernice HERE. Counterfeit Kit Challenge posted a Smash Book Challenge and I was so intrigued by the ideas and the video that I had to try it. PS, if you are going to try this, you have to take a look at the video

chksngrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05744286731018456675noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11463645.post-5961677760856705752011-06-09T08:00:00.001-04:002011-06-09T08:00:21.566-04:00

I believe a lot of stuff...I think we all do, right? But to explore the Scrapbooking From the Inside Out OPTIMISM kit, I limited my focus on the things I believe that are positive, and, well, optimistic... The Little Yellow Bicycle Elizabeth Park paper has both a cool stripe of birds with a "love" tag and some very fussy cut-able butterflies. I decided to max out on this paper by fussy

chksngrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05744286731018456675noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11463645.post-70927571429435970582011-06-06T12:13:00.000-04:002011-06-06T12:13:18.194-04:00

See this? Check out Rachel's amazing article on exploring your relationship with yourself through scrapbooking over on the CK BLOG and then leave a comment! You could win this beautiful kit! Peace, ya'll!

chksngrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05744286731018456675noreply@blogger.com0