Pool Time...

Happy Sunday.  Yes it's me again... twice this week.  I am amazing myself.  :)  It also helps that we have had thunderstorms here for 2 days, we've vacationed a ton and YES... Football has begun!   I love watching all the ins and outs of the game... even during this Pre-season stuff... but better yet, my Husband is engrossed with the TV and his (still figuring out) Fantasy Football team... that my Scrapping time just might get to increase.   It's the start of a new challenge over Lasting Memories.   Our overall August theme is "Sky High"... So this week we want to see you add a Starburst or Sunburst to your layouts. LM 255 Add a Starburst or Sunburst to your layout.
Here is my take...

I am also entering this with "Scrap our Stash Challenge" #29 - the word is PAPER.

Use something on your layout using each letter of the word paper.

P - Punches, Pens

A - Alphas

P - Pinwheel, Pool

E - Enamel Dots,

R - Rhinestones

My layout is actually the 2nd page to a layout I did a few months ago.  And here it is all together...

  Ha!  Yes... that is how behind I am.  :)

So glad I could get this done and join in a challenge!

I wish the same for all of you.  

See you soon!!

Lasting Memories # 198 "My Country Tis of Thee"

Happy Holiday weekend and week to all of my US and Canada friends!!   With that said, the newest Lasting Memories challenge to kick off JULY is themed "My Country Tis of Thee." LMCB 198 Do a layout about a place you like to visit in your country. I was able to to do this no problem! There are 2 main places we love to go to every 4th of July... and in 2012, we were able to go to both of them!  :) My Husband's parents live on an island right on the water, so the beach we went to for the actual 4th.  Family, fishing, food, fun and fireworks! Then from July 6th to 8th, we trekked over to my parent's summer place that is on a river where there is a parade, pool time, boat time, beach time and then a great fireworks show!! We are fortunate to be able to have these places to visit and have our fun!!

Left Close-up

Right Close-up

I am also entering this in the Color Throwdown Challenge 299

Where you had to use the colors

Very Vanilla

Tempting Turquoise

Strawberry Slush

Thanks all for taking a peak!!  :)

Lasting Memories 197 - Sketch Challenge - "Explore the Beach" layout.

Yay!  I scrapped!  It's been a while.  It's time for the next and final challenge for JUNE to start over at LASTING MEMORIES  And it's a SKETCH challenge. I personally love those.   I STILL had some photos from a weekend trip we all took to Ocean Shores in 2011.  We had so much fun that I think I have 6 layouts dedicated to the adventure.  I also still had some of the "SPLASH" collection from Little Yellow Bicycle to use up.   Had a lot of fun with this one. You have until JULY 4th to enter this challenge and ALL the challenges for JUNE. Get Scrapping!!  :)

Close-up Left

Close-up Right 

And here is the SKETCH to follow...
I am also participating in the FROSTED DESIGNS FRIDAY challenge that is to use this Summery Mood Board for inspiration. This challenge ends Wednesday July 2nd.


And... there is also a "Mood Board" challenge over at  SCRAPSTUFFZ INSPIRED BY CHALLENGES Specfically, this challenge had me zero in on the different rainbow of colors used in the word SUMMER.  So I did my title accordingly.  :) This challenge ends 6/30 Monday evening.
Thanks so much visiting!!  Have a great day!!

Lasting Memories 181 - Use Flowers!! 12 x 12 Layout "Tulip Fields"

Well what a perfect day to SPRING forward with our next challenge at Lasting Memories!  This is the second challenge for March.  All of our weekly challenges are open all month.  Come join us!  You have a chance for a monthly prize and to be our April GDT.  
Challenge theme is   "Early Spring, Use Flowers on your Layout."
I was finally able to get a trip to the Tulip Fields scrapped from 2 years ago.  Sheesh.  My new mantra is to "Just get 'er done and down" so I don't forget the happenings and small little details that I find myself easily forgetting day to day. 

Lots of hand cut and hand punched items on my layout.  Wanted to keep it more on the simple side since the photos have so much color in them. 

I had FOUR other challenges completely inspire me with my layout...

SCRAP MUCH? - Color Challenge of Red, Yellow, Green and Orange

JUST ADD INK - Add a Sunburst (I've got two)

SCRAPSTUFFZ inspired by challenges - Inspirational Photo - Gotta love that sunburst.

COLOUR THROWDOWN - Lucky Limeade, Daffodil Delight and Real Red

Thanks for stopping by.  I had fun making this last night.  I hope I inspired you to do the same!  ~Michele

I'm Baaaaack...Lasting Memories #173 - SCRAPLIFTING

Oh it's 2014?? Okay.  :)  I sort of took an unintentional "Break" from crafting.  Or I should just say from posting to my Blog.  It's called crafting for others, busy Holidays, busy Kids, busy everything.  Whew!!  Needless to say... I am back into the swing of things and getting caught up on some scrapping!!  With that said, it's the newest challenge over at Lasting Memories today!! It's all about SCRAPLIFTING!!
ScrapLift a LO from a DT member! This is actually a double Scraplift challenge! Each of us, over the last week, chose a fellow DT members LO to scraplift and now it's your turn! Which of our LO's would you like to scraplift? We can't wait to see!
Here is my layout that I scraplifted from fellow DT member CLAIRE.

I stuck with the basic sketch.  Stayed with the theme of Hiking.  Added a few different embellies in the same places she has hers and sort of went to town on my journaling on both the left and right sides of all the white space. Thank you Claire for inspiring me this week!!  
CLAIRE
Now WHO will you scraplift?  Go to Lasting Memories!  Take a peak.  Be inspired.  Then show us!!  :)
I'm also "Restarting" my 50 Layout challenge using my stash for 2014.
2/50 completed! 

Mini Golf ...

Happy Sunday everyone!!  Lots of wild weather going on where I live.  A couple of monsoon, sideways wind soccer games have filled up my weekend along with some scrapping!  :) Always a good thing!! It's the next fun and what I think is EASY challenge over at Lasting Memories this week!  I hope you can join us for LMCB # 159!  The theme for the challenge is ...
"Use Odd number of embellishments with Even number of photos"

Another fun little family outing this summer to a super cool Putt Putt golf course that had rivers, waterfalls and caves that the ball actually goes through.  As far as the challenge goes... I have 8 photos along with 2 sets of 3 embellies.  The mini golf balls by themselves and the square word sayings.  Technically, that is 6 embellies, but I am choosing to show them as 2 separate groups of 3.  To make them ODD.  :)

I am also entering this over at Let's Capture Our Memories using sketch #35. Fun sketches over there!!

And if you are following me on my journey of using my stash for 50 layouts... 

this is FIVE completed out of 50.  Yep.. .gotta a ways to go.

Thanks for stopping by!  See you later with the newest Digi Darla challenge for Monday.

50 Layout challenge - 5 / 50

LMCB 149 "Birds and Bees."

Happy Sunday all!  It's time for the next challenge over at

 Lasting Memories Layout Challenges # 149.

And the theme...

"The Birds and the Bees."  

LOL!! It's not what you think... we want to see either 

BIRDS or BEES on your layouts this week. 

 Although... pretty funny, our DT had quite the discussion as you can imagine.  We didn't want to scare you. 

I chose BIRDS to showcase on my layout.  I feel this photo doesn't do my layout justice.  Darn nighttime photography... but the photos hold a special place in my heart.  This was in 2010 on our annual Family Vacation.  Our kiddos were 7 and 4 and to think that it is 3 years later.  Oh how time FLIES!!!  Thus my birds on my layout.  :)

Here is a close-up of my birds.

I used a kit from Close to My Heart called   "Magnifique."  Then I added some elements from Little Yellow Bicycle "Paradise" collection.

Hope you can join us this week!  Can't wait to see your take on this challenge.!!

  

Celebrate Love

Oh where oh where have I been??  Well here... just not HERE!!  :)  And as you can see from my latest new layout that I finally managed to create, it's been a whirlwind month of JUNE with a fabulous wedding celebrated in our family ta boot.
Stick with me for I am here to tell you about the next challenge at Lasting Memories Layout Challenges # 146.

The theme of the challenge is "Special Celebrations." 

Well that is just about anything in my book.  Every day has some sort of celebration I have learned.
And here is my layout of the wedding we were involved in.  Our daughter was ecstatic to be chosen to be the Junior Bridesmaid and our son was in charge of programs and guest book signing.  My Hubby and I are the Aunt and Uncle that were there with pride and smiles.

The colors are supposed to be coral and gray. (Nighttime photo) the Title is an older SU stamp set.  I punched out by hand each of the circles to create the polka dot effect.  The taffeta is from the wedding reception itself on the favors.  The die-cut flowers are Martha Stewart.  All paper is from Stampin' Up.

I would also like to enter this with the Ladies over at Frosted Designs for the latest Fabulous Friday challenge is POLKA DOTS.  

I also followed a sketch from Pamela's World of Scrap # 237 B. - But I missed the entry deadline.  Still loved the sketch... so giving credit.  :)

Thanks so much for stopping by!  

And... a side note... GOOGLE READER is going away July 1st (DARN) so be sure to follow be through BLOG LOVIN'.  Button on sidebar.  Thanks to those who have already!!!

See you soon!  It won't be long.  Felt good to scrap today.  

A little Putt Putt anyone?? LMCB 141 "Stamp it with a song." + 3 more inspiring challenges.

Happy Sunday everyone!!  Today I have a layout to share that I am most proud of  for I used ONLY cardstock, little ink, little twine and a little creativity to muster this up.  No extra store bought embellies.  Great way to use my scraps and my imagination!  :)

The newest challenge at Lasting Memories Layout Challenges is ...

STAMP IT with a SONG

Show us your use of STAMPS (rubber, clear or digital) along with a favorite SONG title or lyric.

Fun right??

My stamping is my Title "Putt Putt" with some old retired alpha sets from Stampin' Up and my Song is from "VACATION" by the Go Go's.  

Vacation

All I ever wanted

Vacation

Had to get away

Vacation

Meant to be spent "With You."  

I changed the last word of the chorus from "Alone" to "With You."  More appropriate I think. 

A few Close-Ups... 

These are photos from almost 3 summers ago when just the 4 of us went to Ocean Shores.  We had an ALL WEATHER day and didn't really care that it was raining and the wind was blowing while we took on our game of Putt Putt golf.  It was fun and we were happy because we were on VACATION.  

I came across 3 MORE challenges that helped me with my layout.

First up... Color Throwdown # 243 - Using colors Daffodil Delight, Marina Mist, Wild Wasabi, Black and White.  This completely called my name for my photos!!

Second Up... Pamela's World of Scrap - Sketch # 235b - LOVE this 2 pager!!! And LOVE that I found this blog!!

And Third Up... Frosted Designs - Fabulous Friday Challenge - PUNCHES

Ohhh... and did I go punch crazy!  :)

2 3/8" Scallop Punch - Clouds

Cupcake Builder Punch - Smaller Clouds

Pennant Builder Punch - The banner and the flag on the putting green

1/2" circle Punch - The putting hole

Owl Builder Punch - the circle part for the golf ball

Scallop Border Punch - The edges on the white cardstock

Arrow Punch - Where "Mini Golf" is added

Thanks for stopping by.  Hope you get a chance to craft up some fun!!

A Family Hike... and HELLO! LMCB 139 and DDC 62 and inspiration from ColorQ 188.

Well Hello!!  Good to be back into the swings of crafting.  Thank you "Mother's Day" for letting me have a somewhat relaxing day and doing a little for myself as well.  :)  I hope the rest of you Mom's and Mom figures enjoyed your day!!
Let's just say kids, family, sports, activities and end of the school year everything has this Mom a little busy.  After a slight absence... I am here to bring you my TWO Design Team challenges with my creation today!!

In the midst of my busyness... we were able to take a family hike last weekend.  So hot, but so fun.  We were all proud we treked our way to the top and made it!!

First Challenge to note... is from Lasting Memories Layout Challenges that just started today (Sunday).  And this week we want to see those layouts inspired by a TV SHOW!!  Well my layout represents a new show on the Discovery Channel called "Dual Survival."  We accidentally turned that on one night, and the kids couldn't keep their eyes off of it.  So intriguing how those guys survive in the wilderness and many other outrageous conditions.  Our challenge goes until Saturday at 6pm EST.  Go check out what the rest of the DT did.  Lots of fun ideas!!  

Second Challenge to note... is from Digi Darla's that is starting in a few hours (Monday)... I'm just a few hours early since I did this one larger creation and well my wonderful DT gals said I could... since I felt a little off track lately.  Thank you Ladies!!

Our theme this week is to MAKE a TAG!!  Well as you can see... I made a tag... but then added it to my layout.  I used Digi Darla Image "Happy Hiker."

Here is a close up.

One thing to note... the mouse, squirrel and bird are added embellishments.  The DD image is the Hiker, sign and ground puddle.  

Go see a little later today the BEAUTIFUL tags that the DT made for this.  The challenge goes until 6pm EST next Saturday as well.  :)  Chance to win a total of 8 DD images!!!  

And finally... I was inspired by another challenge that I tend to look at weekly... but never have a chance to play.  I used the colors from Color Q 188.  

Here is my layout page by page...  shows the colors a tad better.  I brightened up my upper photo because I felt I couldn't see it.  

Other than the Digi Image and the random foliage and animal stickers... everything else is created with Stampin' Up cardstock and punches.

Thanks so much for stopping by.  I hope to be back to posting a few times a week.  I have a lot of cards and pages to create.  I've missed it!!  I know you all can relate.  :)

DDC 54 - Easter/Spring - Happy Easter Layout

It's the start of the latest challenge over at DIGI DARLA's!!  We want to see your EASTER and/or SPRING creations!!  Oh how I am ready for some sunshine.  We have had lots of teasing weather where I live.  Just wish it would make up it's mind.  And I have noticed our kiddos are much happier when the sun is out!!

Using DD Images Easter Bunny 3 Eggs and Happy Easter Eggs Wordart

In addition, I had some inspiration from the following 2 challenges.

A sketch from Just Add Ink #15 and their latest Scrapbooking challenge.  I used the sketch TWICE by flipping it around for the right page.  :)


and a color challenge from Color Throwdown # 233.  It was hard to stick to JUST these colors for a double page spread.. .but  I actually managed.  :)


Okay... show us your EASTER/SPRING creations over at Digi Darla's this week and get your chance to win 5 or up to even 8 FREE Digi Darla images.  See you there!!

Happy Birthday Double Layout! LMCB # 128 "Use Pockets"

Hello everyone!  Well I did it!  I promised my daughter that I would scrap her birthday party photos from last year and I FINALLY did it!!  :)  Birthday layouts always make me think too much for I take way too many pictures!!

I am also here to bring you the challenge that has started over at Lasting Memories Layout Challenges.  We want to see those POCKETS on your layouts!  Where ever and how ever...it's up to you!!  Here is my layout to share.  You can see my pocket in the middle with a tag sticking out.  I put basic journaling on the outside of the pocket and then the tag has the names of the guests along with their gifts.  I will also be adding an additional pocket to the back of the layout for extra photos and the invitation etc.

I am also sharing this with the Ladies over at Sketches in Thyme # 103 for their 3rd sketch challenge for the month of February.  I am skating into their challenge in the last hours.  :)  Here is their sketch that I followed...

Thanks for stopping by!  Hope you find some scrappy moments to yourselves!!  :)

LMCB # 109 "Hometown" - The State Fair

Good Sunday Afternoon!!  I have a fun layout to share with you for the newest challenge over at Lasting Memories Layout Challenges.

"My Hometown"

is the theme of the challenge.

Scrap about anything that tells a little something about your hometown or where you grew up as a child.  This could be a memory, moment, annual event, school spirit,  simply the personality of where you live... so many different avenues for this one!!

This happens to be my current hometown.  I grew up about 45 minutes away.  So I guess you would say I stay close to the nest.  Every year we have a Annual State Fair that bombards our streets!  10 days of traffic jams, parades, concerts and lots of fun.

And here are some close-ups...

I was determined to use LOTS of photos.  I think I still have 30 more from the day.  

I am also entering this into the latest challenge over at Just Add Ink # 10 where it's a color challenge to use BRIGHT colors!  Being that the fair photos are all over the place with different happenings... I loved the idea of using bright, bold rainbow colors.  Says happy and cheery to me!!

Thanks so much for stopping by!!  I hope you find some time to join Lasting Memories and show us a little about your Hometown.

Challenge closes Saturday, 10/13 at 6pm EST.

We are also looking for a Guest Designer for November!!  Be sure to put GDT after your name.

LMCB # 103 - A Summer's End

Ahhhhh... it's almost the end of summer and school is starting in just under 1 1/2 weeks.  I think I am a bit excited... but oh to get into routines and alarms going off in the morning.???  Hmmm... sort of a win/loss.  It's been a GREAT summer and we have been oh so busy!!  

This week's challenge over at Lasting Memories is all about the End of Summer and WHAT DO YOU DO??  Do you take a last minute quick vacation?? Do you sit poolside one last time?  Is there an annual county fair that you attend?  Do you make a day out of school clothes shopping??  We want to see!!

My layout is showcasing photos from 2 summers ago.  We spent a day of Labor Day weekend over at the In-Laws Beach house.  It's a fun and relaxing BIG FAMILY get together where we just do whatever the heck we want, have a great dinner and say Goodbye to summer!  Wine, Fishing, Food and Family.  

This year... we are doing something similar.  Although we have been doing lots of "Cram it in the the end of summer" things lately.  I may just have more layouts to showcase this theme!!

Come join us and get a chance to win this...

You have until Saturday, September 1st to join us.  Link up HERE.

GIVEAWAY REMINDER: Don't forget about our giveaway this mth! One lucky winner will win a copy of MMS V3! Link up your creation, winner announced next week!!
Don't forget, we're also still looking for a Guest DT for Sept too!!! Be sure to add GDT with your name/link if you're interested!! Guest DT for Sept announced next week as well!

Supplies:

Cardstock behind photos:  Stampin' Up Night of Navy and Baja Breeze

Everything else is Little Yellow Bicycle products!!

Except... the alpha sticker letters are Fiskars - Cloud 9 by Design.