Counting down

It's that time of year again when I'm counting down the days until my daughter's birthday and the start of school. I can't believe how quickly the summer has gone by and they'll be off again.

I'm actually looking forward to getting back into routine. I'm also looking forward to a regular exercise routine for myself especially after my health scare this past summer. It's amazing how something like can change your entire perspective on everything!

Anyways, on to a layout that I want to share with you today. I've used a photo that we took this past summer one night at the beach. The sunset was just gorgeous and I will treasure this photo always.

Supplies used: Bella Blvd (patterned paper, stickers), Core'dinations cardstock, 3L (foam squares & tape runner), Ek Success border punch

Thanks for stopping by today and I hope you have a wonderful week.

An Awesome Giveaway!!!!!

We all love giveaways don't we? Of course we do! Today I have a fun one for you. But first I'm going to tell you a little bit about it.

It's a digital software called My Memories Suite and it is super easy & fun to use. You can create scrapbook layouts and print them off in the traditional way or turn your pages into a professionally printed hard-bound book. Now that would make an awesome gift for family and friends don't you think? You can also make calendars, greeting cards, poster/trading cards, movies of your scrapbooks with interactive elements. All of this can be done with this amazing digital scrapbooking software and can be used both on a PC or a Mac.

It really is super fun to use. To show you just how fun & easy it is I made this layout using the software.

There are so many delightful images and designs on this software that the possibilities are endless.

I'm thrilled today because I get to give away a My Memory Suite software program to one lucky follower from my blog!!! All you have to do is visit the site www.MyMemories.com and choose your favorite digital paper pack or layout then come back here & comment on my blog telling me which one you chose.

And just because you popped by my blog today I have a special deal for you. When you check out use this code STMMMS44448 and you will get $10 off your purchase.

Have a fabulous day and fun creating!

I'll pick a winner and post it on Thursday, Sept. 1st!!! So make sure to check back!!

Sketches

I love creating my layouts based on sketches. I've had a sketch book ever since I started scrapbooking and have accumulated quite a few of them now.

I have to jot down my ideas and a rough sketch of my layout before I can even start creating a page. So I decided that I would start sharing some of my layouts in sketch form with you. I only have two posted right now but I'll have more soon. So please check back often.

I've created a new tab at the top of my blog (called Sketches) so please feel free to use these for inspiration. (I've worked hard on these layouts & sketches so please make sure to mention where you got the inspiration & ideas from. So please don't copy and claim as your own. )

Here's sketch #1 to get you started.

Here's my layout that I created from my sketch.

Supplies used: Imaginisce (patterned papers, die-cut, glam rocks), My LIttle Shoebox (alpha stickers), Core'dinations cardstock, Ek Success (border punch)

If you do happen to use my sketches I would love for you to link back to these posts (as I will post every time I have a new sketch.) Or you can always email you work because I would love to see it!!

Thanks for stopping by!

Paper Trunk, Core'dinations and Got Sketch!

Busy post today!!

This is a fabulous match - just perfect for each other. Throughout this past month Paper Trunk and Core'dinations have been sharing layouts from both design teams. Wonderful projects have been shared on both websites.

I'm thrilled to be a part of both of these wonderful companies. Today I'm sharing a post on Paper Trunk. I'll just share a peek because I'd love for you to pop over to the Paper Trunk Blog and check it out in full.

I had so much fun scrapbooking these photos of my son eating watermelon as it is his ultimate favorite fruit ever!! He could probably eat an entire watermelon himself (if I let him!)!

Hope you're enjoying your summer. My kids only have a few more weeks left before school starts. I have mixed feelings about all of that however. But it will be good to get back into routine that's for sure.

Now, on to Got Sketch!

If you ever need some good scrappy inspiration then you must check out Valerie Salmon's Got Sketch blog. I'm always thrilled when she asks me to participate because I just love her sketches. They truly inspire me and help me to use a lot of pictures on one layout (something I don't normally do.)

So today she has posted a new sketch - you can check it out HERE.

And here is my take on her fabulous sketch.

Supplies used: Core'dinations cardstock, October Afternoon (striped paper), SRM stickers, Paper Trunk (white alpha stickers), Making Memories (black alpha stickers), American Crafts Thickers, rick rack (black), Cuttlebug embossing folder

So for now, that's all I have to share! Please make sure to pop over to the PT blog for my full reveal and check out all the wonderful sketches over at the Got Sketch blog.

Geek is Chic - Day 2

Good morning!

So have you been enjoying the projects so far that the Design Team from Imaginisce has been sharing on the blog? Pretty fantastic stuff huh?

Today I'm going to share with you my projects. I actually had worked on some of these for CHA and had a blast working with this collection.

"Back to School"

I created the "alphabet" border with my Cricut using the Graphically Speaking cartridge.

"Love to Read"

I was thrilled when I saw that this layout had been blown up and placed on a huge pillar at CHA! Thanks Imaginisce - I was thrilled! His teachers would have loved that!!

"You & Me" card

A Teacher Gift Set

(includes: altered clipboard, notepad box, card)

A Memory Game

Supplies used: Imaginisce (Geek is Chic collection, Glam Rocks), Core'dinations cardstock, Cuttlebug embossing folder, American Crafts (black marker), 3L (foam squares), Ek Success corner punch, Divine Twine, cork, ribbon

Well, thanks so much for stopping by! Make sure to pop on over to the Imaginisce blog and check out what the rest of the Design Team has created.

Geek is Chic

Are you ready for a new collection from Imaginisce?

Well starting tomorrow the Design Team will be revealing a whack load of amazing projects featuring the Geek is Chic collection!! Trust me ... you won't be disappointed. It's just the perfect collection for all of our kiddos going back to school. Plus I'm sure they'll be a few giveaways you won't want to miss out on! ;)

We've been having some wonderful weather and have been enjoying many bike rides and days at the beach! I love it! Have mixed feelings about my kids going back to school soon though. But it will be good to get back into some kind of routine that's for sure.

I love my twine!!!!

I have to say that I just love The Twinery - the colors of twine that they have are so much fun and I just love using it on my cards and layouts.

If you love it as much as I do then you won't want to miss out on this!! They are giving away an ULTIMATE BUNDLE of twine - an awesome prize!! And they're giving away 2 full sets!!!! I totally would love to win this!!!! Look at all those amazing colors?!

So, if you're interested too then start spreading the news!! You only have until MIDNIGHT TONIGHT!!! So hurry!!!

And because I love it so much I just thought I'd share some things that I have made in the past using the twine.

Here are some layouts:

And some cards:

Have a great weekend!!

My 1st Whimsy Post

Good Morning,

Today I get to share my very first MLBOW (My Little Bit of Whismy) project with you and I have posted it on the blog there too.

I absolutely adore all these amazing little embellishments as they add just the perfect touch to my projects. If you have never seen these buttons and pins before then you MUST go and check out the shop! THE WHIMSY SHOP

Today I'm sharing a layout that I created about a summer night this past month. I used a combination of Core'dinations Cardstock, some Jillibean Soup alphabet stickers, My Little Shoebox alphabet stickers and October Afternoon patterned papers.

Supplies used: MLBOW (all buttons and fish pin), Core'dinations cardstock, October Afternoon (patterned paper and stickers), Queen & Co (pearls), Divine Twine (turquoise twine), EK Success border punch, My Little Shoebox (alphabet stickers)

And some close up shots here.

Isn't that Whimsy fish pin the cutest?!

Please make sure to stop by the Whimsy blog and check things out over there.

Biking & a Little contest

How's your Saturday going? Ours is going well here. The weather is absolutely fantastic and we've enjoyed a beautiful family bike ride today. A perfect day for it!

A few days ago I took my kids, along with my folks, to a little island close by and we rode our bikes all the way around the island. It was super flat so that kids had no reason to complain about hills, etc. We took a little lunch and enjoyed the scenery as we rode around.

Taking the 2 minute ferry over to the other side. Kids loved that!

Catching up. We always seemed to be at the back (probably 'cause I was busy taking pictures!)

The bikin' gang!

Had some lunch & we're ready to go again!

This past week I was doing a bit of purging and have come across several things that I no longer need, don't have the room for and I would love to do a little give-away!! Now who doesn't love free stuff huh?? You may just get some of this stuff ....

So in order to be eligible to win I'm going to have a little contest. You're going to have to work for this one a little bit however. I want to see if I can get my FOLLOWERS between 375- 400! That's do-able don't ya think?

Here's what you need to do:

*become a follower of my blog if you aren't already

* share this post with your friends (who aren't followers) & ask them to become a follower of my blog

* post back here and let me know what you did

If I get the numbers between 375 - 400 I will then randomly pick a winner. So go on! Get posting & sharing! :) Thanks so much!

Have a great rest of the weekend!!!

A fun day at the beach

Well, we actually didn't spend the day at the beach but rather had a picnic supper one night last week and then stayed 'til the sun set. It was such a beautiful day!

The kids had fun going on a hike with Grandma & Grandpa when we first got to the beach and then we sat & ate some supper. After eating the kids played in the sand and went in the water. They amused themselves for hours doing this and I enjoyed taking pictures throughout the evening.

My dad took a picture of our family and I'm thankful as we don't have many of all 5 of us because I'm usually taking the pictures!

I had fun taking pics of the sunset too - it was beautiful!