3 The good thing about having so much free time lately is that I have been able to spend that time doing things that I love to do.  I have been doing a lot of family history research and have spent a lot of time in my craft room; catching up on my scrapbooking and restocking my stash of handmade cards. 

​I completed this page to put in my 2014 scrapbook album, and the purpose of the page is to document the completion of my son's 1st grade year. At the time we lived in Denton, Texas. He was so small and super cute.  I find it hard to believe that now he is 10 and about to be finished with the 4th grade. 

​I have always loved stars and they tend to be a reoccurring theme in all my scrapbooks.  On this layout, I wanted the focus to be on the pictures of my son, so I picked a more neutral, tan and cream base with white and navy blue accents to match the background in the pictures.  I love how it turned out!

Materials Used:
​Stars and arrows - Heidi Swapp (They are on a thick acetate, and a little hard to see in the pictures, but really fun in person) 
​Journaling Cards - Captured Moments collection by KaiserCraft
​Cricut - Type Candy Font

​Challenges Entered:
​Lasting Memories
​Pause Dream Enjoy

Blog Update:
​May 6, 2018 - I was chosen as a Top 3 Pick for this layout on the Pause Dream Enjoy Site!

I had so many pictures of my son playing soccer this season, and I loved all of them.  So, in an attempt to use as many pictures as possible, I made my own background paper using the pictures.  I admit that it makes the layout a bit busy, but that is kind of what a soccer game is like; always something going on and something to look at. 

​I picked my favorite 3 pictures and double matted them, so help them to stand out from the background a bit.  Then I cut down the rest of the images and attached them in a way that showed the best pictures around the outside edges of the paper.  Remember when if you try this that the pictures in the center of the page will most likely be covered up.  I finished the page up with a handwritten journaling card and a 3D embellishment that I purchased at Michaels. 

​This might be one of my favorite pages in my 2017 scrapbook album. (Don't judge, I'm behind on my scrapbooking, lol). 

Materials Used:
​23 pictures of my son playing soccer
Red and Blue cardstock from Recollections
​Soccer 3D sticker from Jolee's Boutique

​Challenges Entered:
​Lasting Memories
​a2z scrapbooking

I love Christmas, at least I love decorating my home for Christmas.  Last year when everything went on sale after the holidays, I purchased a new green tree (we usually have a white one). I decorated it with blue, pink, purple, green, and silver ornaments and silver beads and a big silver bow and star at the top.  I really love how it turned out and look forward to coming home to turn the lights on everyday. Makes me happy!

I have been taking pictures of my cousin, Alexis since I bought my first camera. Let's face it, she is pretty cute, and the camera loves her. It's easy to get good shots and she is always willing and eager to pose for me.  This was no exception.  One of these days I need to put together a post of her growing up through my images, but for now, enjoy these little gems. 

Mollie is my baby cousin, not that she is a baby anymore.  It's quite the opposite actually. She is a JR in high school now and to be very honest the smartest person in our entire family.  I like to joke that I am the most successful person my family, but I'm afraid that I am going to have to pass that title over once she gets finished with High School and College.  To say the least, I am very proud of this young lady, and I can not wait to see where she goes in life. 
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​Mollie asked me to take some pictures of her in her drill team uniform way back in April, which I was happy to do.  It took me a long time to get them all edited for her and even longer to actually post them, but here you go. I finally got it done. I think the pictures turned out beautiful. 

Each year, I make Halloween treat bags for my son and a few of his friends.  I like giving gifts and Halloween is just another reason and way for me to spoil my son and the neighborhood kids that I love so much.  This year, I have been a little short on time, but that is no excuse.  I still found time to make clean and simple treat bags, which took me about an hour from start to finish to complete. 

I made the bags using my We R Memory Keepers Gift Bag Punch Board.  I start with a full sheet of 12 X 12 cardstock, which gives me a large, tall bag. Next I cut the black base for the front design using the Sizzix Dotted Rectangle dies.  I got them from the Stamps of Life website, and I love them because it cuts out the rectangle with a series of small holes along the edges.  I then used some Pumpkin twine from the Stamps of Life to sew around the edges, to give it a little more detail. The sewing is the part that took the longest, but was really easy since the holes were already punched. 
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​Next I started stamping.  All the stamps came from Lawn Fawn.  The frame from Sweater Weather,  the sentiment, Halloween bag, and candy corn from the Spooktacular set, and the font is Violet's ABC's. After I stamped it all out, I colored the frame and shaded under the bag and candy corn, using my Spectrum Nior alcohol ink markers. Next I used my Sakura Glaze pens to color the Halloween bag and candy corn. Then all that was left was to put it all together.  I love that these were so easy to make and quick as well.  I filled them with some Halloween goodies and some candy, that I am sure the kids are going to love. 

​Materials Used:
​Lawn Fawn: Sweater Weather, Spooktacular, & Violet's ABC's Stamp Sets
​We R Memory Keepers: Gift Bag Punch Board
​Stamps of Life: Pumpkin Twine, & Dotted Rectangle Dies
​Spectrum Noir Markers: OR1, OR2, GG1, Blender Pen
​Sakura: Glaze Pen in Yellow, Orange, and Clear

Challenges Entered:
​Die Cuttin Divas
​As You See It Challenges
​Pause Dream Enjoy
​Lawn Fawnatics