Kiwi Lane March Hop

Hello all you Kiwi Lane Hoppers! Welcome to my blog and my project. The Rules of the Hop:

You need to start at the Kiwi Lane Blog, if you haven't been there yet: STOP! :- ) Go HERE

You should have come from Charity Hotrum's Blog, if you haven't been there Go HERE

A random winner from ONE of the participating blogs (including the Kiwi Lane blog), will be given a $25 gift certificate to the Kiwi Lane Shop, for leaving a comment and will be announced on the Kiwi Lane blog on Thursday, MARCH 13TH.

You have until 11:59 PM MST on Sunday MARCH 9TH to leave your comment on all the blog posts to be entered. 



So Simple right? That's the name of the game, Kiwi Lane has simplified the scrapbooking world by using designer templates to streamline your pages and cards.  I was asked to use the tiny sweetheart set which has the perfect pieces in it. I love that it comes with a small bracket, because really who doesn't love to use a bracket on all pages. This project came together in about 10 minutes as do all pages when you use their products. The designer templates allow you to see your page before you make the first cut or even before you pick out your papers. 

I am into the whole simple is best right now so my page doesn't have a lot on it but it has just enough to pull your attention where it needs to go. I used every simple template in the set and will be using them over and over again. 

Thanks for stopping by, enjoy the rest of the Hop and make sure you leave a comment below to be entered into the drawing for a $25 Kiwi Lane Gift Card !! 

Kiwi Lane http://kiwilane.com/here/blog/

Apryl Holland http://onescrappysoul.blogspot.com
Cyndee Kawa http://scrappydaylily.blogspot.com
Charity Hotrum http://menemenetekeluniversity.blogspot.com/  <--- Came from HERE
Marisa Torp http://mojoandmore.blogspot.com/  <--- You are HERE
Erica Bass  http://stampingstarlette.blogspot.com/  <---- Next STOP
Brittany Morgan http://craftypaperbee.blogspot.com/
Deborah Johnson  http://scrappinthelittlethings.blogspot.com/
Erin Colby http://oursliceofcheese.blogspot.com
Brenda Smith http://theimperfectscrapper.blogspot.com

The never ending book

I just love my sister and my now brother in law. They just have the best story to tell and I hope I was able to tell come of it with this scrapbook I made them. These pictures just depict them to a 'T'.

My sister wears the biggest smile on her face when she looks at her husband. I am happy to be able to capture all of this for them in hopes that they are able to relive the happy time when things get tough as they always do.










With this I have survived the Mini Album and I don't know that I will ever be doing this again. It was a fun project and it was cool to see how they have grown over the years.

How they Changed...

The undertaking of making my sister and to be brother in law a mini album is one that has had me asking myself on several occasions "just how drunk were you when you decided to do this."

Now anyone who knows me personally knows that I do not drink, well to the excess that I would make stupid drunk decisions. 

I decided to make this album as a reminder of how it all started for the days when it is tough or when you can't remember why you are in this game called marriage.

My sister is a Disney girl through and through, so it is only fitting that I made sure to include this photo of her dressed as Minnie Mouse. I have a new obsession with wood veneer pieces, except to see them a lot in the coming layouts. I also love my Kiwi Lane Templates, the large tag made a perfect background for this picture.

I got out my trusty Silhouette Cameo for this page and cut this banner that said Paris. I wanted to keep this layout as simple as possible as the picture itself really needed to be to focus. I did a little fussy cutting for the journaling area from a We'R'Memory keepers albums made easy pad.

Thanks for stopping by, make sure you come back to look at future pages in this album. 

Scrapbook Steals Guest Designer & Giveaway

As I am sure all of you know, I am in LOVE with Scrapbook Steals. I mean who doesn't love getting great products for a great price to feed the scrapping habit. Well I was asked to be a guest designer for the weekly sketch from them and I was floored. I mean I just think of myself as a sub-par scrapper, nothing fancy just well basic stuff. I am still trying to figure out who I am with my scrapping style.

So there I was about two months ago, surfing Facebook like we all do and I get a message (I never get messages), thinking its probably spam I open it being skeptical. Much to my surprise it was the designer for Scrapbook Steals, after a brief moment of "I really hope she meant to send this to me" I replied "YES!!"  As I waited {impatiently} I just knew she had the wrong person but she didn't and I was all set to be the May guest designer.

Fast Forward a month and a half, I have been given my collection to work with Graphic 45 Curiosity Shoppe. Again panic sets in, I am not a dark collection kind of girl but knew this would just push my boundaries and I would rock it.

So I stared at this collection for a week, went to a NSD crop and stared at it. I just decided to start cutting different pieces into different sizes and I would mat my photos and go from there. I mean I had NO rhyme or reason to anything. I was just trying to do the best I could with the collection to display it and show the great patterns it had.

Well that is what I came up with and I had to walk away from it for a weekend before I really liked it. I added some much needed bright colors to the balloon and the title. I love the fussy cutting I did with the paisley paper and think over all it came out great.



SOOOO in order to celebrate my step forward in the Scrapping world, I am giving away the below page kit that is put together at my Local Scrapbook Store (Scrapbook Generation). This is valued at $30 containing paper and sketches to complete 6 two page layouts with the Simple Stories Documented papers. In order to be entered you need to 1. Be a follower of my blog  2. Leave a comment below of your favorite travel destination 3. Share this post with your friends.

If I hit 30 followers, I will grab something out of my stash as a second prize. All drawings done with random.com. Ends Sunday May 19th at Midnight

Thank you for stopping by, make sure you head over and check out Scrapbook Steals (www.scrapbook.steals.com) and Scrapbook Generation (www.scrapbookgeneration.blogspot.com) for some great supplies and kits.

RECIPE CHALLENGE

The Mojo Mama herself was dishing out recipe challenges the other day and I asked for one of my own.

 

I was to use grey/green colors, buttons, washi, 5 photos and a banner of some kind. I pulled out my new Simple Stories Vintage Bliss which was perfect for these photos I have had laying around for years. My oldest is now a month from being 12 and I am just now getting these old first day of school photos. I added just three buttons and two lines of washi to this paper, it was already perfect the way it was.

 

I look forward to more challenges to come from the Mojo Mama, Kristy Lee. 

 

Kiwi Lane Design Doodles

I have been trying to play along with a few companies sketch challenges. This one is from Kiwi Lane Designs, they do a weekly doodle and you have a chance to win $25 to their on line store. 

2013 week 17 was the perfect doodle to showcase pictures from my first ever 5k, The Color Run. 

I am one of those scrappers who just grabs paper and embellishments that appeal to me, there is never any rhyme or reason to it. 

I wanted to use bright cheerful colors for this because if you have ever run a Color filled 5K it's all about the bright cheerful stuff. It was the best experience for my first official 5K. The Kiwi Lane templates make for quick and easy layering and scrapping in general. Make sure you check out their blog every Monday for new inspiration.  www.kiwilane.com

Paper Bakery Week Two Sketch

Another great sketch from The Paper Bakery, it was perfect for this "remade" picture of my husband and I at the Arch.

 

Make sure you check out the new bi-weekly sketches at www.paperbakerykits.com

 

 

 

I broke out the new Simple Stories collection, Vintage Bliss and it was amazing for this picture. I also used a Fancy Pants collection for the embellishments. I was unsure about this layout at first but this came out great.

 

Amber 9 & 10, Amazing Amber!!

Can't believe another 10 week series has come to end. This series had some great sketches. I  had so much fun with these sketches. This layout features a really old picture of Andru and Chuck enjoying some tice cram on a hot summer day while waiting for Caleb to finish his group meeting. Check out the sketch here.  http://scrapbook.steals.com/wp/2013/04/24/american-crafts-stamps-and-memory-marker-mid-week-mojo-amber-10/

 

 

 

 

 

With this layout I am done with mine and the kids Daycation to Kansas City, I used the sketch from Scrapbook Steals which you can find here.



 

http://scrapbook.steals.com/wp/2013/04/17/we-r-memory-keepers-winter-frost-mid-week-mojo-amber-9/

Amber 6

This weeks sketch was bittersweet, the weekly sketch person lady decided she was going to go in a different direction. I take a few liberties with the sketch but you can still see the inspiration. Check out the sketch here http://scrapbook.steals.com/wp/2013/03/27/pebbles-walnut-grove-collection-mid-week-mojo/

I don't know about you but I love free prints, if someone wants to give me a free print I will gladly make it worth while. I received a free 8x10 from walgreens and did a collage of the pictures from the Arch trip. I did all the pictures of us climbing to the top. I used my silhouette to cut out a frame, it took me three tries but I really like how it came out and it will allow me to do this in the future instead of having to use just a few pictures at a time.

Amber 7

A new sketcher is at Scrapbook steals, but she is not exactly new. I am very excited to see what other sketches she comes up with in the future. This weeks sketch was so fun, which can be found at this http://scrapbook.steals.com/wp/2013/04/03/my-minds-eye-lost-and-found-3-ruby-collection-mid-week-mojo/ link.

 

Caleb has been asking to go to the St. Louis Arch since the first time he came to Missouri to visit us when he was about 4 years old. When I told him we were going to the Arch, he was so excited. He seriously couldn't get the smile off his face it was the perfect day. I got this perfect picture of him at the top with the sign that tells how high up you are. I used Simple Stories new Urban Traveler line for this layout and its just the perfect collection for our trip.

 

 

 

Amber 8

Another fun sketch from scrapbook steals, they had a guest designer again this week. I just loved the sketch and it worked perfect for this picture of my guys.  you can see the sketch by following the link below.  

http://scrapbook.steals.com/wp/2013/04/10/fancy-pants-the-good-life-mid-week-mojo-amber-8/

I have decided that I am not going to get hung up on colors or genders of papers anymore, this has made my scrapping so much easier. I just pick out paper that is speaking to me and then throw it all together. I know some people like to match their photos with the paper but I just can't seem to get anything done that way. This is one of my layouts I made using my new method, and it came together in about 20 minutes. The colors are so fun and they really capture the wonderful smiles my guys have me in this picture. 

Thanks for stopping by, be sure to come back and check out my upcoming fun.

Amber 5a & 5b

This week there was 2 sketches due to a guest sketcher over at Scrapbook steals. I just had to use both of them because they worked perfect for these pictures. You can always check out the weekly sketch here is the link http://scrapbook.steals.com/wp/2013/03/20/my-minds-eye-the-sweetest-thing-tangerine-collection-mid-week-mojo/

 

 



 

 

This is a few more pictures from our quick day trip to St. Louis. We were not exactly dressed for the weather when we got to the Arch. But I did manage to get a few pictures of the boys with the arch in the background. Due to the weather we couldn't find anyone to take a picture of all of us.








These photos are from our wedding almost 5 years ago. My husband and his best man had a blast taking crazy photos before the wedding. I was up stairs getting ready and freaking out, true to fashion they were down stairs having a blast. I just love these pictures and had to showcase them together.  The second sketch was perfect for them.

The Paper Bakery Sketch

My friend Katrina is now part of a design team for The Paper Bakery, who makes awesome Flair. Flair are just small little "buttons" that may fun saying or pictures on them. The Paper Bakery just started a bi-weekly sketch. I had a blast with this sketch, it was perfect for some instagram pictures I printed of my youngest son and his chalk hands. 

 

 

http://www.paperbakerykits.com/2013/04/theres-feathers-in-the-lemonade-stand/

 

 

 

I used October Afternoon's Woodland Park collection, I have given up on the "gender" type papers and just use whatever paper speaks to me.

Top of the Arch

About 10 years ago myself and my husbands family went to St. Louis for a family fun day. We went to the top of the Arch and took a picture in front of the sign. Last month I planned a family fun day so that my kids could have the fun memory of the Arch. We were able to get a family photo in front of the sign at the top of the arch also. 

 

 

I have been loving the subway art that has been doing around lately, I asked my facebook family for words that would describe family and this is what they came up with. I loved the history in the making and how it went perfect with the picture. Our family is a mixed family but we all love each other just the same.

 

 

 

Thanks for stopping by and make sure to come back, I have lots more projects to share.

St. Louis Instagram Fun!

When I found out that Walgreens was not printing instagram photos I was in heaven. I have several pictures that I only have on my phone because I am not the best at carrying my point and shoot camera around. I have these cool photos of the family in the car on our way to St. Louis for a day trip and then the photo of us all at the top of the Arch.

I was recently given permission to get a Silhouette Cameo and the background was the first cut I made. My husband (god love him) said he liked this page but was thinking it should have more to it. I just wanted to play with the cool back ground, plus the pictures totally speak for themselves.

The kids had a blast and even though I had massive anxiety the whole time, I had a great time also. Anything to make memories with the family.

 

 

 

 

Thanks for stopping by, make sure to check back for some other awesome projects I've made recently with my Silhouette.

Kiwi Lane April Blog Hop and Amber 4

Welcome to the Kiwi Lane April Blog Hop, you should have arrived from JEN COLLINS blog, if not make sure you head back to the Kiwi Lane Blog and hit them all.

When I was asked by Kristy to be part of the blog hop I was beyond excited, getting to showcase the use of my favorite scrapbooking supply who wouldn't enjoy doing that. Make sure you check out Kiwi Lanes online shop as some of the templates in this hop are on sale right now.

I personally use the Kiwi Lane Designer Templates on every single one of my layouts, they make scrapbooking so quick and easy.

For this hop I was given the Tiny shapes templates, which are perfect for those small regular shapes you just can't ever seems to make on your own.

I started with some scraps of paper (we all have those laying around) and used the 5T & 2T templates to have the different sizes of the same shape. Then I just laid them down randomly on my page, over lapping a few, putting some at a different angle. It all worked out to really show off the shape but also my paper as well.

Arrow are a hot thing right now, for this layout I used the 1T template to create an "arrow"  I also used a tiny tag for the journaling card. The templates added just the right shape to this layout.  I used the sketch from Scrapbook steals for this sketch, http://scrapbook.steals.com/wp/2013/03/13/fancy-pants-designs-blissful-blizzard-collection-mid-week-mojo/

Make sure you leave a comment here and on all the blog posts as a random winner from ONE of the 10 blogs (including the Kiwi Lane blog), will be given a $25 gift certificate to the Kiwi Lane Shop.


Here is the blog hop lineup .

1. Kiwi Lane http://kiwilane.com/here/blog/

2. Katrina Hunt http://paperscissorsandglue.blogspot.com/

3. Charity Becker http://menemenetekeluniversity.blogspot.com/

4. Jen Collins http://jande14.blogspot.com/

5. Marisa Torp http://mojoandmore.blogspot.com

6. Staci Jones http://www.scrapbookingischeaperthantherapy.blogspot.com/

7. Stephanie Umpleby http://sucw.blogspot.com

8. Stephanie Dang http://www.paperandi.blogspot.com

9. Roselyn Riley http://prettylittlepackages.blogspot.com

10. Charissa Miller http://akihasmommascraps.com

Amber 3, when 3... became 1

I have finally started scrapping my wedding pictures from almost 5 yars ago. I used the weekly sketch from Scrapbook steals to bring these two very special pictures together. You can check the sketch out here

I wanted to use papers that I normally wouldn't because teh softer tones don't always go with pictures of rowdy boys. Carta Bella papers went perfect with these pictures. My husand and I knew we wanted to involve his son in our ceremony because I was marrying him just as much as his dad that day.


Thanks for stopping by.

Amber 2, APA June Babies, Mama Meet Up

I have been very blessed in my life, not with material things but the little things that matter most. When I was pregnant with Andru, I found an on line forum, American Pregnancy Association. It split up expecting mothers into groups by the month you were due, I was due in June. We all shared experiences and could talk about whatever it was amazing. I have been lucky enough to meet five of our June moms and babies in person.

I used this weeks Scrapbook steals sketch, which can be found HERE for this page. I have had these photos of Andru and Mason since June 2011, they were just under two years old. When they were moving to Mississippi from Montana, my little town was a rest stop for the night and we were able to meet up for a morning play date. The kids had a blast jumping on the bed.

Our History in the Making

This picture is of my husband and I from 2003. We were just 19/20 years old and I think this was taken just a few months after we started dating. It is amazing to look back at the pictures and see how much we have grown and how our lives have changed.

I scrapped off the sketch with this layout, I came up with the idea all my own and just ran with it. I just LOVE Echo Parks Sweet Day. I am not one to use just one collection but this page I did with the exception of two elements.  The soft tones of this collection really took on the newness of the relationship and give it a nice feel. I cut two journal cards that are tucked behind the photo and photo mat from the Large Tag set from Kiwi Lane. The Scallops on each row of paper was hand cut by using Kiwi Lane mini scallop template.

Then he turned 9 way 2 soon

My oldest is currently 11 years old and quickly apporaching 12. I am trying to catch up on all his older pictures and hope to one day be scrapping current photos only. These are the pictures of his 9th birthday at the grand parents house. I once again used Kiwi Lane templetes for this, it gives just the right amount of motion. I stitched the number "nine" using Charissa Miller's Kiwi Lane Blog post, for Whats called Tip Time Tuesday. I love the look the multi colored stitching and the all over stitching. I got the new American Crafts AT calander stamp and let me tell you that was a hard thing to make work but the fact you can make any monthly calendar from any year.