Too big, too fast

Here is another sample page using the January kit from Scrapbook Circle. I can't stress enough how pretty and eye-catching the papers are in this kit. The range from soft and romantic to fun and whimsical is amazing.

And who would've thought pink for a boy page, but I love how this turned out and the papers work together perfectly.


My dear little man is growing way to fast. I snapped these pictures as I was helping him get ready for some outdoor snowy fun. He was standing with his hands in his snow pants pockets and the green in his shirt was making his hazel eyes pop.

I just had to take a few pictures. He looked more like 14 than 4.


The alphas in this kit are so fun, too. They are foam, but the glitter in them makes them easier to use than the plain foam ones. And the embellies... so cute! Great transparency, rub-ons and stickers. Fun!!

OH... and this page was made using the Design Dollies sketch from last Thursday. I just love their sketches!! So easy to work with and make your own. (Thanks, ladies for doing what you do so well!!)

Thanks for reading my blog today, I truly appreciate you stopping by to see what I make!!

winter wishes and sketchy thursdays

If I had to choose only one stamp and die to be stranded on a desert island with, it would be the Papertrey Ink Jar Stamp and Die. I love this look! And now that I have the Friendship Jar Holiday Fillers stamp set as well, I'm all about making holiday cards using this collection.

The background paper on this card is from Lush by My Mind's Eye and the jar topper paper is Webster's Pages.


I made this card with two different challenges in mind. First is the Design Dollies Elements challenge: COLD. The other is the Caardvarks challenge to make a new holiday card using die cuts.

Today is also reveal day for Sketchy Thursdays. There are Copics up for grabs this week... so stop on by, see the sketch, and play along for your chance to win the Copics.

My page this week is another digital page. As a graphic designer by profession, it's always fun to switch gears and make something for fun instead of work.


There are so many great digital kits out there now that it really is fun putting these pages together in Photoshop. I use Creative Suite 4 in case anyone was wondering what software I use.

Digi supplies
Papers: Dora's Lemon Love Creations (Scrapstreet), Bike: Michelle Underwood, Heart: BellisaeDesigns-TrueLove, Ticket: Stacy Marks 2PS, Bottlecap: Betsy Tuma, Buttons: Scrap Origins, Journal Spot: Sassy Designs, Title: Stacy Marks 2PS

Thanks for reading my blog today. I hope to see some of you playing along with Sketchy Thursdays, Design Dollies or Caardvarks. So much great inspiration out there!!

Inspired to Scrap fall kit

Happy Monday!

When I got the "Monster"ously Fun fall kit from Inspired to Scrap, I was immediately drawn to the bright colors and fun patterns. Rumor has it there are still a few left, I believe, so if you'd like to get one all for your very own, head on over to I2S and claim one of your very own!


Here is a page I made using the kit. I used this past Thursday's Design Dollies sketch. Check it out!! Those girls have some great stuff going on over there.



And I have to tell you about the journaling. I was having a mental block, so I asked Nate, "What do you love about your Legos?" His answer: "It's when I get to play with Daddy." Melt my heart!

I also made some cards with the kit. This is a birthday card that's about to be mailed today. Can't say whose... he may read this post, never know! :)


And this card will probably be for Thanksgiving. The I2S fall kit has fabric swatches, sheets of Kraft, great textures and flowers. I think this card does a great job of showing the feminine potential in the kit aside from the fun Bella Blvd and Jillibean Soup that's in the kit.


There you have it! Hopefully if you're in the market for a kit you'll consider one of the remaining I2S kits. And this week I'll also begin showing you the Nov. kit. If you love glitter, misting, My Mind's Eye, Holly Jolly... (just as a hint)... this is the kit for you!

Have a great Monday!

Iron Man (and Glitz) is the coolest!

The Scrapbook Circle October kit is chock full of bright colors and unique patterns. The papers from Glitz were what I used for this layout. The red and yellow screamed Iron Man to me. :) It helped that I had JUST taken Nate to meet Iron Man a few weekends ago.


This first page of the 2-page layout is also a sketch I used from Design Dollies. Kristy and crew were at it again this past Thursday, providing a fab sketch I just felt compelled to use.


In this next picture, see that paper bag flower? I made that!! All of the paper bag flowers provided in the Scrapbook Circle October kits were provided by me and my little Design by Diana Etsy shop. I was thrilled when Lisa asked me to make these up for the kits. (THANKS, LISA!!)


And I have to say that I love the Pink Paislee that is in the October kit, too. Especially the Artisan Borders. I misted it, then followed by smearing it and coating with Perfect Pearls. I was so happy with the effect. Rich color and dazzling sparkle. You'd never know it started out chalk white!


Thanks for stopping by my blog today. I worked my lil fanny off this weekend, and I got so much done. Can't wait to share everything with you!! Have a great start to your week.

oh, the new crate paper...

Oh my! The new Crate Paper Restoration line looks great on-screen, doesn't it?! It looks even better in person—I promise! As some of my fellow DT at Scrapbook Circle has even mentioned, these papers are great textures, weights and even smells (lol). Not kidding! If you love paper for all that paper can be, the new Crate Paper Restoration is the paper for you!


And, if you're looking for a great way to get your hands on a great sampling of the new Cosmo Cricket, Crate Paper and Sassafras Lass...look no further than the September kit from Scrapbook Circle!

This page was made using the awesome 8.26 sketch challenge at Design Dollies. Head on over there for great inspiration and fun from some really fun chicas!


Thanks for stopping by today. I'm hard at work on the rest of the pages and projects using the Scrapbook Circle September kit. Don't forget about the great deal...ending very, very soon!

*Reminder: Because of the increase of product in the kits each month, starting September 1, kit prices are increasing to $29.50 for a 2+ month sub and $34.50 for a single kit purchase. All current subscribers keep their price as long as they continue to receive kits. Sign up before Sept. 1 to lock in the lowest kit price.*

my paper tree house reveal and some dollies

It's reveal day for My Paper Tree House! The August kit is overflowing with wonderful colors and patterns courtesy of the Echo Paper Paper line, Life is Good.


And the extras in this kit are just as fabulous. There are great flowers from Prima, buttons from Jenni Bowlin, book paper, lace, ribbon and handmade paper-clipped yo-yo's from Amy. They are amazing!


I made this page using the sketch at Design Dollies. Kristy and the rest of the Dollies do a great job with the weekly sketch challenge. Anytime I can play along, I end up loving the page I made. I'm sure you'll feel the same.

Click on over here to see the current sketch and play along!

And I hope some of you are able to snag a August kit from My Paper Tree House. This one is so fun! Hurry...they tend to sell out really fast!!

the best dads squeeze into the small places

Hey there! I hope everyone is doing well. Today I have another page from the Scrapbook Circle July kit. I'm still loving the bright, fun colors in this kit. Check out the list of what's included in the kit HERE.


The picture on this page is from when we went to the playground on Nate's birthday. Brad is always so good about playing with Nate. He climbs, slides and jumps like he's still a kid, and Nate loves to have Dad by his side!

The best part is that they know to stop a second and pose for the camera! :)


I have a cool tip for you today. See the butterflies? They are from Jenni Bowlin, and I used my Smooch Spritz to spray one yellow and the other one red. I love how they turned out, and the paper took the misting really well. Try this yourself!

This page is made with the latest sketch from Design Dollies. As soon as I saw the latest one, I knew it would become a favorite of mine. It's a saver, for sure!! Great job, Kristy! I love this sketch!!!

our little family

Hi there, peeps! Thanks for stoppin' in today. This page is made with the June kit from Scrapbook Circle. I am loving this shaped paper!

And really loving all of the little die cuts and extras that come in the June kit. I dumped it all out onto my desk and couldn't stop sifting through it with each page I made. I'm tellin' ya... if you were ever looking for a kit with non-stop embellishments, this is the kit for you!


This picture was taken a couple weekends ago when we went to see Thomas The Train. He rolled into a town near us, and even though I thought my son may be over Thomas, he still loves trains. We scooped up Grandma and Papa and off we went.

It really was a great outing. If you have a toddler and Thomas comes by your town, you really should check it out.


I also made this page using another one of Ms. Kristy's fab-o sketches at Design Dollies. Whenever I get a chance to play over there, I just have to! They also run elements and color challenges, but I just can't seem to play along with the challenges like that (sorry, girls!). I'm more of a sketch and prompt gal!

Thanks for stopping in today! Of course, I will be showing off the Scrapbook Circle June kit all week!! :)

playing with dinos and dollies

Hi there! Today I am sharing with you a page I made with the May kit for Scrapbook Circle. This kit is chock full of goodies! Great colors for me since I mostly do boy pages. Rich blues, browns and yellows.

I also used the wonderful Design Dollies sketch for this week. You can find the sketch HERE and play along with them!!


The page is about my son's first trip to the Rochester Museum and Science Center. They had the traveling dinosaur exhibit there this winter through until the beginning of May. It was very cool. There were Mastedons, fossils, T-Rex's skull... many neat dino exhibits. It was a fun day, and I'm so glad we took Nate to see it.


I'll be showing you more of the wonderful May kit from Scrapbook Circle over the course of this week. It goes on sale May 1, so plan to scoot on over there and scoop one up! I'm sure you'll love it!

(May kit sneak peak)

Thanks for stopping by today!!

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I'm thanking my blog readers with a RAK this week! Stop by THIS POST HERE and leave a comment for a chance to win a RAK from me!

easter bunny is hopping into town

Yay!! I love Easter! Good food. Time with family. And, of course, the expectation to eat candy for breakfast!!

Nate had his first visit with the Easter Bunny this year. The years before we never went or the line was too long. Nate was surprised that the Easter Bunny doesn't talk, but other than that, he was fine with it all.


This page was made with the Scrapbook Circle April kit. Seriously, this kit is AMAZING! I was thrown by all of the pastel colors at first, since I make mostly boy pages, but with it being spring, everything just fell together so easily.


I am always looking for inspiration to help me put pages together, so here are the credits for the inspiration and places you can play along with, too:
• BlueMoon Scrapbooking: Paper cutting challenge
• Design Dollies: This sketch here from the wonderous Kristy
• Scrapfreak Birthday Bash Crop challenge: Stitching Technique challenge


Thanks for stopping by my blog today! I truly appreciate everyone who stops by here!!

cute cards week!

Thanks to a little extra cash flow, I was able to splurge on the Papertrey Ink stamp sets that I have had my eye on. I picked up 4 sets, including this new one, Studio Style, released in February. (Do you know that I'm totally in love with Dawn McVey?! I love her design style.)

This weekend I really only made cards and tags, and I pretty much just spent any crafty time coloring in stamped images. It was so fun!!

Better late than never, I used this color challenge (ROYAL BLUE, SKY BLUE, LIME GREEN) at Design Dollies for this card. I just couldn't tear myself away from my couch to post this last night for the contest. Such great colors!!

Did you notice the title of this post is cute cards WEEK? Yeah, I made a bunch... :) And for no real reason except for myself and to send to friends!!! I love that!!!

Hope your Monday is going well!!!

scrapbook circle march kit and a little dollie

Over the next few days, I'm going to share with you the loveliness that is the Scrapbook Circle March kit. WOW is all I can say!! There are great colors, fabulous extras and the some of the best new products out there jam packed in this kit!


I made this page using the Design Dollies sketch for this past week. Head on over and check it out!! Those girlies know what they are doing over there. Great inspiration!


The little princess in this picture is my best friend's youngest daughter. She just had her second birthday and this was from her dancing around at her party in her new tutu. So cute!!

I love the way the burlap from the Scrapbook Circle March kit contrasts the girlie-girl of the tutu and costume jewelry.

The kit goes on sale March 1!! Scoop it up, you won't be disappointed!!

why i don't...

Who's That Girl is live with Challenge #3: Why I don't.... I had an incredibly tough time with this prompt, which is why, I guess, it's called a challenge.

I went through "Why I don't skydive," "Why I don't fly," Why I don't have any money (with a picture of my stash). And, with last week being deadline week at work (the time when we finalize the issue and send it to the printer), it seemed very appropriate to say, "Why I don't print anything without my editor."


Laura is my editor, the publisher of the magazine, and my bff at work. We have sat side-by-side in the same space for 8 years. I'm the only one who can read her handwriting, and she is the only one who knows what my hot buttons are.

The question is... will she find my typos before we go to press (lol). And she always does!

Stop by Who's That Girl today to see what the rest of the DT came up with and to get the full details so you can play along with us! Love to see what you don't do.


Did you see those wonderful paper button flowers? I have some left in my Etsy store. And I have been crafting up a whole bunch, so you'll see some more varieties and colors in there soon.

And the ruler under the photo? More of my folding up those fabulous ruler strips from my Scrapbook Circle kit. Only this time I paired it up with some fussy cutting from a Material Girl page and then ran it through my sewing machine. Same cool folding, just a flatter version of it.


Other than the Thickers and my paper button flowers, this page was made using the February kit from Scrapbook Circle. Such great, versatile pieces in this kit!!!

This page is also built off of the most recent sketch at Design Dollies. Kristy does a fab job over there are giving sketch inspiration, and Adina and Leah pair it up with some great color and elements challenges. If you aren't playing over there, you are missing three very inspirational divas and their fab-o team of ladies.

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If you haven't seen Sketchy Thursdays yet today, stop on by.
There is a new DT Call!!

ahhhh, love this boy!

Finally, I got to play along with some of my favorite challenges! And this is a "pile it on" page. The title and prompt inspiration comes from Scrap That Poetry's newest challenge: Ah, Yes! Love! (A very sweet poem, go over and read it.)


The sketch comes from my girl Kristy over at Design Dollies. Love this sketch! Click on over there and get inspired by the Dollies!!


The color challenge is from If The Shoe Fits...Scrap It! (My old stomping ground... miss you girls!) They want to see red, white and pink. I put the three of those in there and then threw in the orange on account of Nate being a boy. I think it makes the red, pink and white more subtle once you throw in that fourth color.


Most of these papers and such came from the February Studio Calico kit. I threw in the Smooch Spritz, some of the flowers, the journal spot and the black lettering from my stash. If you haven't been to Michael's recently, the one near my work just put out the new K&Co. stuff for the Designer's Corner area. I picked up the black letters and the flowers there. They are super cute in person.

Thanks for stopping by! I am blogging over at the Scrapbook Circle blog today. I'm talking about bending the rules over there (you'll see...)!

10 of my favorite things

I was lucky enough to have some free time this weekend to scrap. Because dear hubby was working his new shift, I was able to play with the Design Dollies. The triple threat this week is to use turquoise, lime green and white, make a page about your favorite things, and use Kristy's sketch (which can be seen here).



I used my Studio Calico Whodunit January kit for this page. How cool that their new papers and the Origins line from Basic Grey which are in the kit would match so well with the Dollies challenge. And... I also found a not-so-bad picture of myself where I was wearing green just to make it all the more matchy-matchy.


I included only 10 favorite things so that this page also is my Guest DT Challenge for Scrapfreak this month. Crossing my fingers... I would love to be GDT over there, I love those peeps and the gallery is always full of wonderful inspiration.

Thanks for dropping in!! I hope you are having a great weekend. It is supposed to be warmer here today, but without the sun shining, the predicted high-40s still feels pretty darn cold to me. Stay warm, peeps!!