Summer Summary

This LO was inspired by the current CramFest SD4U is having on their site right now. One of the tasks was to create a layout that covers an event, using ribbon and embellishments. They're voting right now on their site for best layout. So far I'm in 2nd out of 3 entries. I took a literal approach to the task as my LO is just like the example. I just loved how the teacher fit 16 photos on the double pager and wanted to do the same.

Missed Layout - Chuck E. Cheese

I don't know how, but I had filed this LO away as done but never posted it on my blog. So here it is. The pictures are from two visits to Chuck E. Cheese.

This was done using a kit that I received from Scrapbook Generation. I like grid layouts. They appeal to my sense of order.

Summer Fun

Two more layouts using sketches from Sassy Lil' Sketches. I LOVE how they use circles. I actually did it sort of like a double layout. Just so the layouts flow better in my album. I spritzed the background with blue glimmer mist and used my cricut for the title letters. I LOVE this paper line from Best Creation Inc. "Surf's Up". The glitter paper gives the layout more depth and pizazz. You'll likely see this paper again in future blog posts. I plan to use every scrap of it.

Buddy

Alton's favorite little "buddy". I just wanted to remember this toy (stuffed animal) and help Alton remember it years after he's outgrown it. If that ever happens....

Sketch by: Sassy Lil' Sketches

I'm always behind on when sketches are due - one of these days I'll actually submit a layout on time. But I just LOVE their sketches.

Alton & Me

At the Scrapalooza (an all day crop) held by Scrapbook Generation they gave us all the pieces to a layout to assemble on site. I was trying to find the perfect papers to go with this picture and this kit was just that - perfect. It worked so well and was so stinkin simple to assemble. Less than 5 minutes and I had a layout - okay it took me a little longer as I finished the journaling at home but still...easy peasy. So layout design by Scrapbook Generation and cuteness by Alton Keller. :) Hey, that's a good layout title....

Just realized you can't read the journaling: "Sitting on the front porch with Alton I decided to turn the camera around and take a picture of the two of us. So glad I did, this tender moment is "so special" and I'm so glad I caught it".

Alton's 3rd Birthday

The left side of this 2 pager was done by scraplifting a layout in my CK magazine and the right side was my idea trying to use up some scraps. I made the #3 using my cricut and then I just added embellishments inside it. I wish I had glimmer misted behind the embellies to give it a little more color but it's okay. The right side I will probably add one more picture or more journaling in the right corner. Just looks a little unbalanced to me. Or maybe I won't and just put it away in its album and forget about it.

Delight

These pictures were taken in the Spring of 2009. All the supplies on this layout came from my very first kit from SD4U. I'm still making layouts with this kit. I wasn't sure about the "Delight" title but I looked up the definition of the word "Delight" and when I read it I thought it fit just right with these pics. I then added the definition to the layout and then my own journaling below it.

Layouts to Share

I just got back Sunday from a wonderful family vacation to St. Augustine, Florida. Unfortunately the layouts from that trip probably won't be done until a year from now. I may mix it up and do them sooner than that, but it will take me forever to figure out which photos to print and scrapbook out of the 1,000 we all took.

I did however complete a few layouts before I went on our trip and wanted to share them now so I feel like I've done something lately. I'm slowly getting back into everything including work and scrapbooking and hope to find my creative groove soon. Boy I miss it....

This is actually a layout done without using a sketch - my own design believe it or not. The goal of the layout was to display our tickets of the movies and shows we've seen together. I left space to add a few more. I love this paper line used - block party by...oh shoot now I don't remember. Anyway, I just love using primary colors and these had a great flare to them. The sticker letters are vinyl thickers (love 'em) and the style is perfect for this page.

Older Photos - New Layouts

So, I've had these photos for a while. I think 2 years now. I just didn't know how to put them in a layout. Then I saw the papers in my Basic Grey Kit and I knew it was a perfect match. I used their sketch for a start but then went in my own direction. I was so hesitant to put that bottom picture of Marisa on the layout but I just had to. It showcases her "personality" so well. Hopefully you can read the journaling. It says it all.

So I've had these sticker letters for over a year now just stting in my stash wondering when or how I would ever use them. I was about to give them to Marisa when I saw an idea in my CK magazine using letters. They used them as a background. I did the same and thought how perfect it worked out to create my clever title. I took a shortcut by handwriting the title and I'm not sure I love that part, but I'm not going to change it because it's done. I love how it all turned out and that I used up every single sticker which you know rarely ever happens.

Where have I been??

I can't believe I haven't posted on my blog since May. Wow. So where have I been and what have I been doing? Well, I guess most of my time these days is going to my schoolwork as I've decided to take a class at the local community college to decide if I want to pursue a Culinary Arts Degree. So very random, isn't it? So, I am currently taking the mandatory Safety & Sanitation class and it is well....it's school. So I have to read and study, take quizzes and do homework and it's cutting in on my blog time. This Fall I start the actual cooking class. School hasn't squelched all my scrapbooking time though and thanks to a few long crops I do have some layouts to share. Crazy Cousins. This layout I did at the retreat but I FINALLY added the journaling and added a few embellishments to add a little interest.

Inspired by Zoez Mom

Lately my job is keeping me very, very busy and I've found myself too mentally drained to get into scrapbooking (now that's tired) but with it being National Scrapbooking Day today I pushed myself to create a new layout and thanks to Zoez Mom who set a scrap challenge on her blog I actually got one done with journaling completed as well. Thanks Kim for the challenge and thanks to Sassy 'Lil Sketches for the sketch. Happy National Scrapbooking Day!

Another 1st Day

I guess you know you've got a great kit when you can make two different layouts with it and still have plenty supplies left for more. This is true with this month's Basic Grey Monthly Page Kit. I was also inspired by the bi-monthly sketch challenge from SD4U. I was so happy to see I could put Alton on a layout with flowers without sacrificing his masculinity. The flowers showcased the pretty day and being outside. I enjoy having first day of school pictures look like the first day of Spring. Even though it's in the fall I like how it resembles the beginning of something new and that's probably why it's one of my favorite times of the year.

Ooh, just noticed I don't have the year on this layout. Gotta add that and then it's "officially" complete. August 2009. Woo Hoo! I'm impressed with my own self to have completed a layout from less than a year ago.

Fun at the Landing

I didn't plan to scrap these pictures but when I noticed my Basic Grey Page of the Month Kit matched and I had a sketch from Sketch Inspiration to work from I went ahead and used them. I wanted to capture the movement of Marisa - the running, laughing, playing. She had so much energy this day and I wanted to show it. I think the title and journaling helped illustrate this.

Golden Corral...again.

Whenever the whole family goes out for a holiday meal (usually Mother's Day) we always go to Golden Corral. I guess it's because everyone can get what they want and get it quick - yay to buffets! The kids don't get enough time with each other but they do get enough food. What use to be my least favorite place to eat has now been accepted as our family tradition.

Sunday Sass

Just before heading out the door to church I had to take a snapshot of the kids since they were dressed so nice. The expressions I received are classic Alton & Marisa. A full cheesy smile from Alton and a wrinkled nose and folded arms from Marisa.

I used the Estate Sale papers & embellishments from the Bella Blvd. Collection from my SD4U kit. I love these papers and the cool font letter stickers.

One Big Happy Family

I've been working on this layout for days now. Not that it was that difficult but because I've been a little distracted...okay, I'll admit it...with my Droid. I also found myself in a rut as I really like this picture and when that's the case I usually can't make decisions in a timely manner at all.
This layout was actually scraplifted from one of the Design Team Members at SD4U, Nicole Capote. I love her work. I'm sure I will be scraplifting quite a few from her in the future.

This Boy...

This boy - makes me feel every emotion: Happy, Tired, Wonderful, Sad, Blessed, Joy, Overwhelmed & Love. This is so true and I was glad to be real and capture all this in a layout.I actually spritzed on the background (my first time to do so) with my terracotta shimmer mist spray, the "This Boy" and star paper are from the Rough & Tough line of Fancy Pants.

Yummy Mess

This is how Alton use to eat his ice cream cones - face first. This layout was inspired by the challenges taking place on Scrapbook Deals 4 U. I created this layout in 2 hours using a sketch for inspiration.

Oh, The Hats

This is a layout I had done before the retreat but never had a chance to post.

Bobby Flay - added touch

I thought something was missing from this layout and so I added the letters to spell "Bobby Flay" around the picture and I think it adds that missing touch and sort of acts like a title for the page. Just wanted to show it off....

SIFE Trips Album - Title Page

I completed an entire 9x9 album of my SIFE trips at the Scrapbook Generation Retreat and had only this title page left to finish. I quickly pulled this together so I could show off the finished product at work. I used chipboard for the letters in "trips" and covered them with patterned papers. "SIFE" was made by my cricut. I have grown to LOVE my cricut during the retreat as I found many ways to use it in this album.

Problem Solved - Now a 2 pager

Well, I had created a one page layout of Halloween (left side only) and by doing so it threw off the whole flow of my "Holidays we Celebrate" album. So with Kim's advice I found some more pictures and turned my one pager into a 2-pager. Is it just me or does it seem like it should've been like this from the start? Glad it worked out and I even managed to create a title for the layout. Glad this was an easy fix. Thanks Kim!

No Hate, No Hate - Just Love Love Love

Another layout using the Scrapbook Generation's sketch book. I love these papers that came in my KOTM club kit and love these pictures of the kids.

Project 365 has now become Project 12

I gave it a good try - taking a picture every day for a year but at about May I really started falling behind. So I decided to summarize each month instead. I'm still behind but this is much less overwhelming and easier to catch up on. Over the last few weeks I have completed March, April & May. This is just a sampling to show what I've been working on.

Alton's Pre-School Programs

Oma

A one picture layout - I have definitely changed my opinion of one picture layouts over the last year. I actually like them now. I think it allows me to tell a story and capture a memory more effectively.

Christmas 2008 - Review

After doing so many Christmas pages lately, this time I wanted to just summarize all the December activities in one layout - it is also a way to catch up a little and help not burn me out on this holiday.
This layout design was inspired by a sketch in CK magazine.

Red Hair

I've been wanting to post a layout about Alton's red hair for a while. I do notice lately that I get more satisfaction out of completing every day moments than holidays & events lately. I'd like to try and do more of these and use some neat sketches I've found on the internet recently....maybe even some "Sassy Sketches". :)

'lil Swimmer

These papers are from the first kit I got from SD4U KOTM club in October. It is the Bloom & Grow kit and I just love the colors. Pictures never do it justice. Layout is from a sketch from Scrapbook Generations Sketch Book #3. I completed this at the crop I went to last Friday.

Alton in a Cap

I actually did this for a sketch challenge from SD4U Sketch Challenge #49. It will be my first challenge to participate in. I hope to get it on there in time to be eligible to win a prize in the drawing.

Family Layout

Paper and embellishments from my KOTM kit from December.

2008 Christmas Layouts

I know, I know I just posted a bunch of Christmas layouts recently, but that was from 2007. I am now doing Christmas 2008. I've discovered that I tend to make double page layouts for events and do single page for everyday moments. I think I will continue this format as it seems to work for me and what also works best is using Scrapbook Generations Sketch Book Volume 3 for the 2 page layouts. I resort to this sketchbook frequently and have used almost every sketch in the book so I went ahead and purchased Volume 4 the other day.

Wilson's Farm

Layout was done using a sketch from Scrapbook Generations sketch book. I used embellishments from my SD4U kit club.