Layout and Card Share: "Spring in Rolesville"

I love Lily Bee products! They have been one of my favorite go-to scrapbook companies for a long time. I love their small repeating paper patterns and they always come out with the best color combinations. Another thing I love about their designs is that it is very easy to coordinate many lines together. For this layout, I used products from 4 different lines (2 new lines and 2 older lines.) I am also really loving their letter stickers. So in love! Swoon!

Today I am sharing with you a layout I made using Lily Bee products and a sketch challenge over at the Lily Bee blog. You can find the sketch HERE. I chose the photos for this layout from a collection of floral photos taken in our neighborhood. I am just loving all of the bursts of spring color everywhere and the cute southern charm of the mailboxes. I love this time of year.

"Spring in Rolesville"

Next up are 4 cards creating using another sketch at the Lily Bee blog. You can find the sketch HERE.

Products Used for Layout:

• Lily Bee papers: Persnickety line-Huffy, Handmade-Patchwork and Fat Quarter, Sweet Shoppe-Lemon Drop and Stationery Linen, 
• Lily Bee Pinwheel-Letter Stickers
• Lily Bee Handmade stickers
• Flower punch-unknown
• Assorted buttons

Thank you for stopping by today. I am in the midst of a big overall/ organization/ furniture arranging session going on in my Scrapbook Studio. It is kind of chaotic at this point, but regardless, I will be back tomorrow for Scrapbook Organization Thursday with some "before" and "in the process of" organizing shots. I will also expand on why I am switching some pieces up, what worked and what did not.

Happy Scrappin'

xoxox

Toni

Did I ever tell you that I had a layout up on the Lily Bee blog?

Yeah. That totally happened. Totally made my week. So much so, that it has felt surreal, so surreal that I forgot to mention it. Yup. It really happened. Still pinching myself on that one.

This is the layout that was featured on 5/3/13 in the I spy Lily Bee products:

Here is the link to the blog post if you want to see my featured layout HERE.

Thank you again Lily Bee, what an honor.

xoxox

Toni

Scrapbook Circle: "My Favorite" Layouts and Cards

Happy Monday and Happy Victoria Day to my Canadian readers. Just a couple of weeks ago on National Scrapbook Day (May 4th, 2013, ) I was lucky enough to win a prize by following Scrapbook Circle on Instagram. They gifted my friend Taniesa Vlasak as well as myself with the May Scrapbook Kit "My Favorite." If you like what you see below and are interested, Scrapbook Circle still has some of these kits available. You can find out more about those HERE.

Taniesa did a great job using this kit and made a layout, a Project Life spread, and 4 cards. Here are a few images showing Taniesa's beautiful work.

Be sure to stop by Taniesa's blog thecraftypickle.com and see the rest of her beautiful creations. She did  a fabulous job using this kit, I adore her butterfly layout, but you will just have to take my word for it and check it out HERE.

"My Favorite" has been one of my favorite kits in a long time. Everything worked together so beautifully and I was so inspired to create. I loved the color combinations, the neutral alphabet, the mix of florals, new Lily Bee labels, and even Crate Paper/ Maggie Holmes bows to boot. I mean seriously, what's not to love about that? I managed to complete 4 layouts and 6 cards in less than 72 hours. *I was not asked by Scrapbook Circle to post about this kit, I am just giving my honest personal opinion about a scrapbook kit that I really enjoyed. I will definitely be ordering from them in the future.*

These are the Layouts I managed to create using this kit (if you click on the pictures the images are larger and clearer:)

"Hello Noelle"

"3"

"So You"

"Best Buds"

Cards:

Supplies Used:

• Scrapbook Circle "My Favorite" Scrapbook Kit
• Tim Holtz tiny attacher
• Silhouette Cameo cuts of hello and hearts
• Heidi Swapp Color Shine in Gold Lame
• Studio Calico Mister Huey in Navy, Inky Black, and Seafoam
• Heidi Swapp aqua ghost letters
• White American Crafts cardstock
• Studio Calico Kraft woodgrain cardstock
• Scrap of blue cardstock
• Studio Calico wood veneer stars
• Paper Bakery I Heart Social Media and Totally 80's flair
• Embroidery needle, white and green embroidery floss
• Shipping tags ( 2 medium white tags and 1 light blue large tag)
• Divine Twine-gold and cream
• Jenni Bowlin tab and pinwheel punch
• Paperclip-bird from Studio Calico
• Martha Stewart adhesive doily, 2 butterfly punches, and 1 doily punch
• Queen and Company Twinkle Glitter Glaze
• American Crafts Neon embossing powder in red, pink, amber, orange, green, and purple
• Versafine Ink in Onyx Black and Sepia
• Bahama Blue ink by Memento
• Studio Calico Heyday stamp set 

Thank you for stopping by today. If you have any questions, please comment below. I am always happy to help. Thank you also to Scrapbook Circle for gifting me with this lovely kit. I simply adore it and had such a great time creating with this beautiful collection of scrapbooking supplies.

xoxox

Toni

Scrapbook Organization Thursday: What Was I Working On Again?

Has this ever happened to you? Do you ever find yourself excited to work on something creative, to only have it thwarted by a nagging feeling of, "what was I working on again?" Or another popular one, "Wasn't there something I was suppose to be making for. . . ?)"

We are all extraordinarily busy people. Life is hectic. We all have things that have to get accomplished everyday.  I am guessing that right now as you are reading this, you are even thinking about all of the things you should be doing right now. Do not stop reading. This blog post today will help you. When you finally find that you have a few spare moments to work on a creative project, wouldn't you rather spend that time creating than trying to remember why you came into your craft space in the first place. Today I aim to help you with just that:  More time creating, less time remembering. Sounds simple enough, right?

For those of you that are reading this and thinking I just do what comes naturally, or I don't like to limit myself this way. I totally hear where you are coming from. I have used organizational systems and not used them, and I get at least twice as much done when I use them. That being said I do not feel "stuck" by using them. If a creative urge takes hold that isn't on the list, I just go with it. It really is that flexible.

There are a few systems that I have implemented over the years that have worked for me. This is what I am currently using.

1. Post it Memory Jogger

• This is what it really looks like, my handwriting is legible, but not super fancy. I believe in keeping it real people.
• I use one color Post-It notes for categories (pink) and one for projects to do (green)

• I keep everything posted on the side of a white bookcase directly across from my large craft table (see below). 

Why this works 

• My immediate projects are easy to see and in my direct line of site from where I stand/ sit to craft.
• It is not an overpowering system, I would not like it if it took up a large wall for instance.
• Easy and affordable, just cross off and remove when finished, adding new projects is simple
• There is even room to store sketches below (these sketches will be used for some of the projects above. I get sketches from various scrappy blogs, such as; Studio Calico, Lily Bee, Two Peas, Paper Bakery, and Noel Mignon to name a few.

• 2. To Do Journal

 *I got the idea for this journal from Michelle Wooderson's blog

• I use this largely to keep track of scrapbook pages or projects I would like to finish at a future time (generally 1-6 months from the current time.)
• When/if I run out of immediate projects to work on in my Post-It Memory Jogger, I flip through this and add some more post-its

Why this works

• Very easy to fill out and maintain, if I need to add something I just add it, when it is finished I cross it off. When the whole page is finished I tear it out. Simple.
• I have a place for projects I will work on at a later date. I can jot those ideas down as I think of them
• I can easily find things to work on 
• I store this easily accessible in the bookcase directly across from my table

3. Story Recipe Box

• This one might be my favorite, because to me it's all about the story. 
• Scrapbooking is such a fun creative outlet and almost all of my pages are created based on a particular story I want to tell
• This is where I get my story ideas from

• This is just a run-of-the-mill recipe box that I use for story ideas
• All of my story ideas go onto index cards on the front side and on the back side I keep color, paper collection, and other design ideas (if I have any at that point)

 Here are little bits of one story I will tell (for example.) This story is not flushed out yet, I am still mulling it over and trying to get to the real meat of it. I will get there though, just not quite yet.

Here are some design ideas/ places to find more information for this story

Why this works

• Very simple to maintain, write on index cards, add, and remove them as needed.
• I always have ideas for stories.
• I also will put coordinating photos in here as well, if I already have the perfect picture, edited, and sorted (as you can see, I need to get more pictures ready.)

In Summary

I use a 3-part approach to keep scrappy/ crafty projects to do organized

1. Post-it Memory Jogger for current projects

2. To Do Journal for future projects-they are then moved to #1

3. Story Recipe Box for story ideas

I hope at least one of these systems will help you, or perhaps inspire you to create something that might work even better for your crafting style. Hopefully some of these ideas will give you more time to create and less time trying to remember what you wanted to make in the first place. What kind of systems are you currently using that help keep you organized? What isn't working? Let's talk organization ladies. What good reads, sites, and what not are you finding? I love information on this topic, so if you see anything good, please do let me know. 

Thanks for joining me today, I appreciate you being here. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to ask. I love helping, and the odds are someone else has the same question.

Until then, Happy Scrappin'

xoxox

Toni

Card Share: "Happy Spring" and "Hello"

Thank you for stopping by, it is so great to share paper crafting with all of you. I appreciate you being here. Today I have two cards to share with you. The first card was originally inspired by a challenge at Studio Calico for National Scrapbooking Day last week. The challenge was to use a stamp on patterned paper (I chose a simple grid pattern.) Here is what I came up with.

The second card was inspired by a sketch over at Studio Calico for National Scrapbooking Day. You can find the sketch HERE. The original card design was created by Maile Belles.

Supplies Used:

"Happy Spring"

• Lily Bee Handmade-Pink Lemonade
• Lily Bee Stationary Linen
• Studio Calico 12 x 12 grid paper  
• Studio Calico block party card kit stamp
• Martha Stewart Circle Punches
• Martha Stewart butterfly punches
• Small Butterfly Punch-Marvy Uchida
• Flower stem and leaves- hand cut from unknown scrap paper
• Queen and Company Twinkle Glitter Glaze
• Studio Calico Mister Huey in Shine (misted over entire card front)

"Hello"

• Lily Bee 6 x 6 paper pad Buttercup collection
• Lily Bee ABC Stickers-Buttercup
• Lily Bee Buttercup stickers
• Studio Calico 12 x 12 Grid paper
• Studio Calico chevron stamp
• Hero Arts chalk ink in Wet Cement

Have you been creating any fun cards lately? What are the types of cards you make in the spring? I am trying to think of some new categories for spring besides the typical graduation, Mother's Day, Father's Day, etc... Do you have any ideas? I am making new cards for my rapidly depleting card stash and I could use a little help. Let's talk cards.

I will be back tomorrow with another "Scrapbook Organization Thursdays" and will be discussing different ways to keep track of scrappy projects, cards, and other things we are working on, or plan to accomplish in the near future. I will be describing a few different suggestions to help keep you organized. These suggestions really help me spend more time creating and less time asking, "What was I going to work on again when I had time?" If any of this sounds familiar, be sure to check back on Thursday, I would love to have you.

Until next time, Happy Scrappin'

xoxox

Toni

Project Life 2013: Weeks 10-11, March 4th- March 17th

Sunday and Monday I spent a few hours catching up on some older Project Life weeks that I skipped over. I decided to combine these weeks since the majority of my photos were from week eleven, with very few from week ten. I find that combining weeks is a great strategy when there is not much documentation, or if you are trying to catch up, or get a couple of weeks done quickly. Now onto the pictures.
Full Layout:

Left Side:

Left Side Close-Up:

Right Side:

Right Side Close-Up:

Supplies Used:

• Becky Higgins big pack of design A page protectors
• Studio Calico 3 x 4 grid cards
• October Afternoon Midland- All of the items I used are available at Two Peas in a Bucket, I have included links to each one below if you need them.
• 12 x 12 papers-ticket booth, neon lights, and tilt-a-whirl
• October Afternoon Midland 8 x 8 paper pad
• October Afternoon Midland journaling cards
• October Afternoon Midway designer brads
• October Afternoon Midway sew-fun-banners

What are some of your strategies for catching-up or keeping up with Project Life? What have you implemented into your Project Life routine that has worked? What has not worked? Let's talk Project Life. How are you doing? Let's chat.

Until next time, Happy Scrappin'

xoxox

Toni

I Am Now the Parent of a Teenager

Today my sweet boy Elliot turned 13. At 1:22 am to be exact PST. He was brought into the world after over 22 hours of labor and 3.5 hours of pushing. 21 inches long and 8 pounds 4 ounces of the cutest baby boy ever. I am now the parent of a teenager. 13 years. 13 years. 13. Years. Gulp. Big Breath. 13. I just cannot believe it is already here, I cannot believe he is almost done with seventh grade, is now just barely beginning to get pimples, and is just eating, constantly eating. I think another growth spurt is coming on. 13. 13 Years Old. Sigh.

I wish I had all of my layouts photographed (that is something I just started doing in August of 2012, even though I started scrapbooking 17 years ago. My first few months of photographing layouts are not very good, I was learning and using only a camera phone. I am in the process of re-shooting about 60 layouts that I have already photographed now that i have a descent camera and photoshop, as well as slowly photographing many other layouts that have never been photographed. At this rate, it might take me a year to get it all done, but it will be someday. Probably more like 2-3 years with the amount of albums I have. It is nice to have a digital copy of all of it, just in case anyways. ;-)

Today I thought I would share some of my favorite layouts of my son at various ages, ( at least of the one's photographed) so let's take a walk down memory lane, shall we? I am also writing a letter to Elliot that I am sharing with you.

 The Early Years:

 Preschool:

Grade School:

Middle School:

My Dear Sweet Elliot,

I Love You. Thank you for being my son. You are the greatest kid in the world. To me you are perfect just as you are. Because of you, I have become a better person, an advocate for others, and I greatly admire your ability to live life without concerning yourself with what other's think . You are so smart, quirky, hysterically quick-witted,  and you are a momma's boy (in the very best sense.) You have an empathetic and kind heart and truly want to always believe the best in people. You always strive to do the right thing and have no problem admitting your wrong and saying you're sorry. You are a great friend and brother. Everyone that meets you becomes a better person just by knowing you. You are amazing. You inspire me each and everyday. You are fabulously different in the most amazing ways. You make me laugh harder, smile bigger, and learn not to take things so seriously sometimes. You have also reminded me the importance of deep breaths and slowing down before you react. Your love of books and knowledge astound me, you have a such a great memory for all kinds of details that most people forget. You have some of the best one-liners in the history of the world. I love how involved you get in the things that interest you. I love that you research things you want to know more about. You never stop asking questions. You always want to know more, understand more, be more. You are nothing short of my everything. I am so incredibly, monumentally, indescribably proud of you. There is not a day that goes by that I do not thank God for you.

Elliot, you rock!

Mom

Thanks for stopping by today. I will be back tomorrow with a Project Life share, plus lots of other goodies all week long.

Happy Scrappin'

xoxox

Toni