GUEST CT SPOT FOR CHRISTINA RENEE DESIGNS

I am so excited that I get to CT for Christina Renee Designs. Her stuff is so awesome . . . you can check out the Authentic Artistry site and the shoppe by clicking on the links over in the side bar.

Woo-Hoo . . . doin' the happy dance!!!!!

Lyric

This little one belongs to a friend of mine and boy is she SWEET. Just look at those cheeks!
CREDITS: All papers and elements from Bright Side of Life by Newlife Dreams Designs available at digiscrapping.ch; font is LainieDaySH; layout inspired by JenJ's I {love} U at myscrapbookart.com

Star Baby

This is the newest addition to our family . . . my nephew, Jackson. He was born prematurely in January. He had a rough start, but he's doing so well now. My sister Jessy is such a great mom and is taking such good care of him!
CREDITS: All papers and elements from June Inspiration Kit from Do It Digi Designers; Fizzy Pop Alpha (hue altered) and Metal Alpha by A Work In Progress/Designs by Vicki; font is Traveling Typewriter

Dance

CREDITS: Background paper from Bloom Paper Pack by NinaScraps Designs blended with paper from Believe Stamps by Christina Renee Designs; frame is from Frame Collection I by NinaScraps Designs; butterflies from Flutterflies from Christina Renee Designs; plants from Book Pressed Foliage by Christina Renee Designs; fonts are Overwork and JFRingmaster

Love You

Me and my brother . . . not from this past Sunday, but from Easter . . .
CREDITS: All papers and elements from Mabel, May PPF Designers Collab Kit with the exception of the alpha by Krystal Hartley and the date label from Doodled Dates by scarlettheels designs; font is CK Rugged

Good Times

As promised, here is a picture of my brother and sister posing for me (although I must admit, they SO totally didn't want me to . . . they're always begging me to put away the camera). I had to remind them this time that on our previous Sibling Day, that I didn't even have my camera! So there! Anyway, love these guys (even if they don't like my camera). Our whole family dynamic is going to changing with my brother going away for basic training in just a few weeks . . . and he's graduating from high school this weekend. I'm excited for him, but I'm going to miss him terribly. So I'm just taking advantage of the opportunity to take some pictures of us just hanging out.

CREDITS: Background paper from Ancient Age Paper Collection by Raspberry Road Designs; all other papers and elements from Apt. No. 9 by Raspberry Road Designs; Island Girl Choco Chip Alpha by myscrapworks; font is Pea Yar Yar

Abi

Yesterday was our big SIBLING day . . . my brother and sisters got together and we just grabbed a bite to eat and then hung out at my sister's house. Her 2 children were there . . . my first visit with Jackson who was born prematurely in January (she was keeping him quarantined for a while) . . . and Abi, my sweet little niece. She is so full of energy and happiness. She's always smiling and I don't think I've ever taken a bad picture of her. It was a wonderful day, and I'm so grateful to be blessed with my family. I'll be posting other layouts in the next few days, but right now, it's Abi's turn - 'cause she has to be FIRST!
CREDITS: All papers (hue altered on background paper) and elements from Tattered Lily by Peta Boardman with the exception of the raffia wrap from Da Funk Wraps by Peta Boardman and the Foil Alpha from Hazy Summer by A Work In Progress/Vicki Parker; font is Love Letter

Ode to Frog

A week or so ago, I completed a layout with an extraction of a frog. You can see the page BY CLICKING HERE.

One of my new web friends, Thena Smith, wrote me a wonderful poem to go along with the layout. She graciously agreed to allow me to post it on my blog.

Without further ado, here is ODE TO FROG . . .

I do not like you Mr. Frog
Your face I truly detest
But in this challenging time
I must try to do my best
To make you look appealing
And pretty on my page
But please do not try to charm me
Or in conversation to engage.
For even when its said in jest
"I have a frog in my throat"
The words bring to mind
The annoying sound of a croak!
I know that others may love you
But frogs are just not for me
And I avoid them in my path
At every opportunity!

-Thena Smith

Isn't it fabulous? You can see what Thena is up to on her blog CLICK HERE and see some of Thena's poems by CLICKING HERE. What a wonderful resource for scrapbookers!

Woo-Hoo! I made the Gallery Standouts Blog!

I am so super excited! My layout featuring my daughter, Olivia, titled "Beauty" (see the couple of posts before this one) made the Gallery Standouts Blog! They always feature such incredible pages there, and I go there to get inspired. I popped over this afternoon and there was my page - and I gasped with surprise and delight.

Aside from my family's gushing over my pages, there's nothing more rewarding than to feel appreciation from my fellow artists. I have met so many incredible layout artists and I have learned so much since last August. I am so in love with this art and with what it's doing for me personally. I'm feeling so overwhelmed right now! I'm gonna hush . . .

Check it out here: GALLERY STANDOUTS BLOG

Way Too

CREDITS: All papers and elements from Bright Side of Life by Newlife Dreams Designs at digiscrapping.ch; font is Traveling Typewriter

Beauty

CREDITS: All papers and elements from Build A Bloom by Christina Renee Designs; fonts are Facelift and Love Letter

2008 Scrapper's Choice Award Winner

Wow! I won a Scrapper's Choice Award at Digi Shop Talk! I was nominated for best layout using a Digi Shop Talk Gold Member Kit, and I didn't even know it! LOL! I was cruising through the 2008 Scrapper's Choice Awards Gallery to see what pages made it and get some ideas from the best of the best . . . and I went to the second page and there was my face staring back at me! I'm just delighted and surprised and elated and just, just, just SOOOO excited!!!!

Check out my winning layout here: RESOLVE.

Shutterbug

CREDITS: Papers and brads from Rocket Man by angelfaye designs; Inked Edge from Two Soon by Shabby Princess; Frame from Blingy Thingies Vol. I by Blythe Evans; alpha, ribbons, mesh from Grateful4U CT Collab Kit; fonts are CK Ali's Writing and Traveling Typewriter

Treasure You

CREDITS: All papers and elements from Daisy Dew by Raspberry Road Designs; font is Edition

caught!

CREDITS: Background paper, frame, hinge & grasses from Wonderland by createwings designs; velvet border, butterfly, buttercup swap from Faerily Moonlit by Lorie Davison; Paper and Glitter Alpha by Amanda Dykan; font is Edition

Daddy's Hands

CREDITS: All papers and elements from Good Boy! by Gretchen Tripp; Scruffy Black Chipboard Alpha by Gina Maria Spaghetti; title from "Daddy's Hands" performed by Holly Dunn; font is Traveling Typewriter

3, 2, 1 Blast Off!

CREDITS: All papers and elements from Rocket Man by Angelfaye Designs with the exception of the staple from Olivia by Angelfaye Designs and photo template by Gretchen Tripp; font is Facelift

Shine

CREDITS: All papers and elements from Summer Breeze by Scraps2You with the exception of the cardboard brackets from Good Boy! by Gretchen Tripp; font is Digs My Hart

Invisibility

Chaos Lounge has a new collection out and it's 30% off right now . . . you can get the whole thing - 9 papers and 37 elements - for $3.49. It's such a deal. I just fell in love with Jen's designs when she was making freebies, and she brought me along for the ride when she started selling at Digital Candy. I just love her style and I'm so grateful that I get to play with her designs!

This is my little one on Mother's Day, exploring his Nanny's garden.

CREDITS: All papers and elements from A Secret Place by Chaos Lounge; I Can See Clearly Alpha by Misty Cato; quote is from Ulysses by James Joyce; font is Hartin2

{becoming}

CREDITS: All papers and elements from Springinging by Drehi; Painted Newspaper Alpha by Manda J Designs; font is Hartin2

Plate of Happiness

Bit of fun for a stock photo challenge at Digital Art Quirks . . . less quirky than usual, but that's where I ended up this time. DAQ is such a cool place . . . whatever works with that group of artists - they just let me be me.
CREDITS: Background paper (hue altered), paper for placemat and word art from Happy Home Add On by Raspberry Road Designs; Happiness Nutrition Label by A. Victoria; Birds from Tweet Love by Fei-Fei; plate and flatware photos from stockxchng; glass, cherries and key from Sally Ann by Raspberry Road Designs; font is Folio Bk BT

Strength

CREDITS: Paper (hue altered) and elements from Swimmin Wif Da Fishes Mini Kit by Bunny Cates; Wave Shape from Template 20 from FreeStyleMamaCreations; font is Euphorigenic

Fast Faster Fastest

What a cute (and free!) collection Susan has just released! My son is deprived and doesn't have a "real" wagon, but he has this little plastic one that carts around all manner of toys and sticks and dirt. And he loves to run with it behind him - his goal is definitely fast - faster - fastest!
CREDITS: All papers and elements from Red Wagon by Raspberry Road Designs; font is karabinE.

Key 2 My Heart

CREDITS: All papers and elements from Cherished Friendships by Peta Boardman with the exception of the ribbon (hue altered) from Da Funk Wraps and buttons from Da Funk Buttons by Peta Boardman; Island Girl Choco Chip Alpha by myscrapworks; #2 (hue altered) from Rusty Alpha by Ellie Lash; Pink Metal Heart by Simone's Creations; Brown Glitter Heart by Tangie Baxter from Grateful4U CT Collab; font is Euphorigenic

Family

CREDITS: All papers and elements from Parts of Fall by NinaScraps Designs; Alpha from Lenas World by NinaScraps Designs; font is Pea Jordan

Princess Olivia

CREDITS: Papers and elements from Urban Junque Colors Paper Pack & Urban Junque Colors Rubon Kit by Rhonna Farrer; Parisianne Alpha by Rhonna Farrer; Frame from Trixi Pix by Jessica Bolton; font is Traveling Typewriter

Beach Sand

CREDITS: All papers and elements from Marigold Sky by Amanda Dykan; Painted Alpha by Scarletheels Designs; font is karabinE.; poem is "Beach Sand" by Raymond A. Foss

Little Chick

CREDITS: All papers and elements from Bunny Trail by Raspberry Road Designs; Glass Beaded Alpha by Dirty Feet Designs; font is LD Fine Print 6

Daddy and K.K.

CREDITS: All papers and elements, including alpha, from Birdsong by Raspberry Road Designs; font is Windsong

Favorite Things

CREDITS: All papers and elements from Cottage by the Sea by Kate McClellan; Grid Paper Alpha 2 by Digi Diva Designs; font is Windsong. Journaling reads: Favorite things: Lots of books waiting to be read. Fresh bouquets from the yard. The hide-away nook in my bedroom. The faces of my babies. The antique lamps given as a wedding present.

Mother

CREDITS: Background paper, ribbon, lace, stitching from All About Denim by Alabaster Box; Clustered Frames by NinaScraps Designs; Butterfly, bow, acrylic bracket frame from Eternity by Newlife Dreams Designs; French Laundry Alpha by Sande Krieger; font is You Are Loved

Siblings

CREDITS: All papers and elements from Harlequin Sampler Kit (for Petal Pieces Challenge at Purple Paper Flowers) by Paula Phillips with the exception of the frame from Frame Collection No. 1 by NinaScraps Designs; News-Alpha by NinaScraps Designs; font is fontdinerdotcom

The Easy Life

This is just a bit of fun for stock photo challenge at DAQ.

I detest, loath and despise frogs, so this was a challenge for me in more ways than one. The extraction was particularly painful, especially with him staring at me the whole time! LOL!
CREDITS: Background paper, moss, star gazing pouf from Faerily Moonlit by Lorie Davison; Spider and web from Eeki Freaky by Lorie Davison; Grasshopper, grasses, fern, ladybug, dragonfly, caterpillar, bee from Wonderland by createwings designs; moth and fly from Halfway to Paradise by Newlife Dreams Designs; frog photo from stockxchng; font is fontdinerdotcom

ABC

CREDITS: All papers and elements from Too Cool for School by Raspberry Road Designs; World Tour Alpha by Raspberry Road Designs; font is fontdinerdotcom

Leap for Joy

CREDITS: Background Paper and Flower Stickers from Bloom Paper Pack by NinaScraps Designs; Frame, cord fastener, torn paper tags from Lena's World by NinaScraps Designs; Leaves from Parts of Fall by NinaScraps Designs; News-Alpha by NinaScraps Designs; font is Digs My Hart

Every Face You Make

CREDITS: All papers and elements from Almost Paradise by Newlife Dreams Designs at digiscrapping.ch; font is CK Ali's Writing

Enjoy

This is my niece who is getting married in 2 months and she's always beaming! I love it!
CREDITS: All papers and elements from Marigold Sky by Amanda Dykan; font is Pea Yar Yar

Gardener Dancing With Leaves

This is my mother-in-law, wearing her new garden hat she got for Mother's Day.

CREDITS: Background paper, leaves, doodle glitter corner, alpha from Clarisse by NinaScraps Designs; frame from Clustered Frames by NinaScraps Designs; word art from Parts of Fall by NinaScraps Designs

Valuable

CREDITS: Papers, charm, brad, yellow flowers from Linen Closet by Eyelets Scraps Designs; frame from Shabby & Torn 2 by Gunhilde Storeide; branches, leaves, pink flowers, birds from Wonderland by createwings designs; Nest from Evitangel by Heather Manning and Dawn Inskip; Toile Alpha by Studio Stephanie; font is Pea Breathe Easy

Seek Haven

I just absolutely love finding scrapbook designs that just feel like they fit me . . . and the new collection by createwings designs is one of those collections. Full of the richest details, it was a pleasure to scrap this page of my dear son on Mother's Day. Isn't he just precious?
CREDITS: All papers and elements from Wonderland by createwings designs; font is Liorah BT; quote is by Henry Miller

Truly Madly Deeply

CREDITS: All papers and elements from Cassidy's Garden by Melissa Daniel; font is Liorah BT

{can't catch me}

CREDITS: White Alpha by Scarletheels Designs; Circle Cardboard Alpha by Dirty Feet Designs; Stapled Cardboard Alpha by Tracy Collins; Warning Label by Valerie Randall; Winged Frame from 2Peas Seventies Kit by Tia Bennett; font is Traveling Typewriter; photo effects achieved by duplicating original photo, poster edge artistic filter applied to the first photo layer, watercolor filter applied to the second photo layer with opacity reduced to 51% and set to overlay

My Sweet Ones

My sweet ones on Mother's Day! So cute!
CREDITS: All papers and elements from Cassidy's Garden by Melissa Daniel; Shimmer2 Alpha by Blythe Evans; font is Learning Curve

Sweet Girl

CREDITS: All papers and elements designed by Krystal Hartley (background paper, flowered paper, flowers, from {Inspired By} Ashli; foil rain and foil bracket frame from Looks Like Rain Freebie; Alpha from Mabel; flower stem and leaf from Grass is Greener Alpha & Elements; dragonfly from BYOD (Build Your Own Dragonfly); journaling strips from Love Is . . .); Water Stains Brush by Stephanie Shimerdla/Obsidian Dawn; font is Learning Curve

Love

I spent Saturday with these two special women in my life. They are the ones I turn to in good times and in bad. I am so very blessed!
CREDITS: All papers and elements from For New Orleans by Bobbie Wheeler with the exception of the String Tie and Stitching by Gunhilde Storeide, frame by Dawn Wilson; font is Florence Light

Enter At Your Own Risk

If you know my family, you know Bubba. There aren't enough adjectives to describe this pup. And the sign is true . . .
CREDITS: All papers and elements from Haunted House by Bobbie Wheeler (background paper is a blend of 3 papers from the collection); font is Digs My Hart

Roses for Mom

On Thursday night, we went to Mama's for Anna's birthday dinner. Oh man! What a feast! Anyway, while there, we usually get outside at some point and Mama's yard is always beautiful. This time, we were out in the front field flying these little rubber band powered balsa wood frames (well, I was taking pictures and Jay was flying the planes with them). While I was inside, Jay took the kids over to Grandma's rose garden and they picked some for me.

I tell you, there is nothing that can prick a mother's heart more than to see her children holding up flowers to her ~ at least for me anyway! So here are a couple of shots I got of them. Of course, Olivia was more willing to stop and pose, but Daniel was on the move!

CREDITS: All papers and elements, including alpha, from All About Denim by Alabaster Box; template by Broken Jar Creations; font is CK Ali's Writing

Lil Man

My sweet little man running around, flying balsa wood planes with his dad.
CREDITS: All papers and elements, including alpha and word art, from Ready for Prime Time, May 2008 Guild Kit; font is Problem Secretary

Grain of Sand

CREDITS: All papers and elements from Oceanside by Web Designz by Kristi (some papers and elements blended and hues altered); Alpha (hue altered) from Lilac Twilight, a PPF Collab Kit; font is CK Rugged

83

CREDITS: Background Paper, layered ribbon, bow from Layer Me Lilacish by Broken Jar Creations; rusty staple, mat (hue altered) from Color Challenge Freebie by Broken Jar Creations; diamond from Trash to Treasure Freebie by Broken Jar Creations; fonts are Rage and Problem Secretary

Big World

CREDITS: All papers and elements from Oceanside by Web Designz by Kristi; Paper Clip Alpha (hue altered) by Natalie Bird; Paper Alpha by Monika69; font is Hartin2

A is for Anna

CREDITS: All papers and elements from Layer Me Funky by Broken Jar Creations; fonts are Rage and sextalk69

Encore

CREDITS: Background paper from Bittersweet Memories Paper Pack by Eressea Designs; frames by Simone's Creations; font is Arial

2 Sweet

CREDITS: Papers and elements from All Things New by Lori Imell; Photo overlay and frame from Trixi Pix by Jessica Bolton; Foliage from What Dreams May Come Mini Kit Sampler by Flergs; Paper Alphabet by Monika69; font is Pea Breathe Easy