Scrappin' the Details

love note.

We had the most amazing day here in Sunny California!  It actually rained!!!  Love rainy days, simply the perfect weather to stay inside!  I was able to find some scrapbooking time, and I am halfway through completing a project.  In between the mess, I created along the way, I stumbled upon a "love note!" Let me begin, on good days, my scrapbooking studio, looks like this:

 "My Scrapbooking Studio"

However, while I am working on a project, this tidy room, becomes quite the photo!  I will spare you that image!  Although, it tends to work for me, in a very strange way! I do not understand why I cannot put a tool away, after I use it.  I find myself wasting valuable time, trying to find the tool I need.  My desk, and the floor around me, really become a "creative chaos!"  (That is what I am calling it anyway!) LOL
My husband, who never really ventures into this room, did one night.  He was using my printer, and trying to find white space on my desk!  He left behind a "love note!" I was just about to throw it away, when I read what it said.  It truly made my day! (comically) I tend to leave little post it notes around me, with title ideas, sketches, card ideas, etc.  This particular post it, had a "title", that I was pushing around for a layout of Macie by rows of gum ball machines.  (In fact, if you have any title ideas, I would love to know about them) I had written, "so much sweetness", and my husband decided to add his own thoughts!
It now read, "so much sweetness and so much mess"

 
I could not help but laugh!!!  I now keep my little "love note", in the same place he left it for me! 
I simply had to blog this "sweet" story!  I hope you have a wonderful day!  I am going to Scrapbook Oasis with my best friend. It should be a good day indeed!  
Happy Tuesday!!!!

(celebrate) 7

I wanted to share a card that was on the Pebbles Blog  last week.  It was for the Friday tip, and it was all about stars!  I decided to create a birthday card, because more often than not, I am always in need of one!  LOL 
I used the Lil Robot line from Pebbles, so it made for a bright and fun card!  I have this stash of chipboard numbers, so I pulled a "7", and it became the starting point for the card! I used this great number set I have from Creative Cafe, and decided to cover the chipboard number, and stamp on top of it.  This became the sentiment of the card, and plan to give this card to my little guy!

"(celebrate) seven" 
 
 

Now, because I felt the card needed something else, besides the number "7", I stamped "celebrate", on the tab.  It is barely there, and hope you can see it!  
Supplies:
Patterned Paper: Lil Robot, Pebbles
Cardstock: Pebbles, Bazzill
Embellishments: Candy Dots, Pebbles
Star Sticker: Lil Robot Sticker Sheet
Stamp Set: Creative Cafe, and Stampin Up
String: Michaels
**** I used a star punch to punch three stars along the bottom of the card.  Simple, and effective way of creating your own border!
It is Monday, and it is a short week for me.  Lots to cross off the list, and get accomplished! Do you know that there are only 18 days left before Christmas?
I love this time of year, because I feel like it is the only time I can truly enjoy playing with glitter, and not cringing at the mess! LOL It is true, I love glitter, but wish it would not end up everywhere! LOL 
Today, the kids can play with it too!  After school, they are writing their Santa letters. A fun tradition for us.  I am happy that all three, still BELIEVE!  I know I do!
Enjoy your day!!  Have a very Happy Monday!!!!!
 
 


 

 

 
 
 

 

"the BIG yellow bow"

We not only have a football player in our home, we also have a "tiny" cheerleader! Macie is having so much fun with competitive cheer, and she loves doing what her "big" sister does! Macie has always been very close to Gabi, and has mirrored her since she was about two. Gabi, being older, does not always like peering down at little Macie.  This is probably typical of older siblings! LOL However, I see how proud Gabi is to have her baby sister follow in her footsteps! Of course, our lives are little crazy with both girls in cheer, but when I see this, it makes it worthwhile!
"the rookie" (with the two yellow bows)
 
She is adorable! (I could do without the makeup, but it comes with the territory, LOL) Macie is lucky to have an amazing coach! Her coach is loving, and very patient!! Macie's team is a fantastic group of tiny girls, and fabulous moms!  It is going to be a great year for her!

A photo of my oldest daughter:
"the pro" (with one, very big, yellow bow)

It is so great to see Gabi back in competitive cheer!  She took a year off, while we were in Texas.  We were in California two days, and she was already back on a team! I will admit I love seeing her perform.  She is a very strong athlete, and a powerful tumbler! This year she wants to focus on polishing her tumbling.  The year away from cheer did effect her.  However, she has adjusted quite well.  Her team is simply AMAZING!!!!  I am not saying this, because I am her Mom, but her team is simply solid!  She is on a large team, and seriously there is so much talent, it is hard to watch it all!  Gabi had her first competition, and I barely could keep up with her!  This is going to be a great year for her too! (Luckily, Gabi and Macie have the same coach!!)
A few more photos to share:
 

 

(Gabi is the second one from your left in the back row)
I am one proud Mom, and am blessed to have two beautiful daughters!!
If you have made it this far, I wanted to share that a project I designed was featured at Scrapstreet Magazine.  It is an online magazine, and was happy to have my cookie jar featured as one of the projects!  You can see it HERE.   You might want to browse awhile, because there were great ideas for the holidays!  I also found a few layouts I loved!
Thanks for visiting today.  I am working today for a few hours, and I hope to find a few hours to scrapbook.  I have projects due for Pebbles (It is also inspiration Wednesday on the Pebbles Blog), and then I want to begin working on my Christmas project.  But first, I better find time to bring out the Christmas decorations!!  LOL It is December!!!
Happy Wednesday!!!

 

All Star Football Layout

I wanted to share this layout I created of my son. While we were in Texas, last year, he was able to play his first year of football. Of course, it was flag, but he loved every minute of it!  It was funny, that once I signed him to play, both my father, and brother-n-law, did not think it was a good idea.  I know I have said this before, but Roman has a heart of a teddy bear. When you see him, you see a big boy, and he really is such a gentle soul!  They thought he would not be aggressive on the field, but they were wrong! Roman listened, and did everything that was asked of him.  I will never forget the first time, he finally grabbed a flag!!! Although, I will admit that, Roman once played against a fellow classmate, and was unsure if he could block him. He did not want to hurt his "friend!"
He was not able to play this year, due to our move.  He was a little disappointed, but hopefully he will have the opportunity next fall.
Speaking of football, have you seen "Blind Side?"  A must see movie!  I loved every minute of this movie, but wish there was more at the end!  This is a DVD I want to buy! I followed this movie the next day, with the "Law Abiding Citizen." Wish I had seen them in reverse order!  LOL
My layout, "All Star Athlete"

I used all Teresa Collin's products on this page!  It was so easy to use, and I loved the way it turned out.
Supplies:
Cardstock: Bazzill
Patterned Paper: Teresa Collins Sports Edition
Letters/Numbers: American Crafts Thickers
Chipboard Elements: Teresa Collins Sports Edition 
Another detail:

I stamped "MVP" on the chipboard circle.  I used the Giggle Kids (boy), stamp set.
Thanks for letting me share, and I hope you have a fabulous day! Today, I have a room mom meeting, and have a few projects for Pebbles to begin!  Speaking of Pebbles, it is Monday, so there is another challenge.  So hop on over to HERE.  Mireill Divjak is the blog hostess this week!!!!
Happy Monday!!!!

Happy Thanksgiving! {in2scraps November Sketch}

Happy, Thursday everyone!  I wanted to share the in2scraps November sketch.  
 
I created a card with the Amber Road Collection from Pink Paislee.  I loved this collection, and after struggling with another paper line, pulled this one.  I am glad I did, because I love all the autumn colors!

"Harvest Thanksgiving Card"
 

Supplies:
Patterned Paper: Pink Paislee Amber Collection, Postcards and Apple Cider
Pin: Heidi Grace
Ribbon: Rusty Pickle, Captain Jack
Gems: Teresa Collins
I hope you and your family, have a wonderful Thanksgiving! Although, every day I am thankful for the countless blessings, today I am thankful:

• my family
• my enormous network of amazing friends
• living in California with my family
• healthy and loving children
• God's blessings and guidance
• my newfound online friends
• my scrapbook space
• my blog readers
• spending Thanksgiving with great friends{Robbie}. She is like family.

I hope you are surrounded with family, great friends, and great food!  It is a day to celebrate!  
Happy Thanksgiving!!!

 

Friday's Tip on the Pebbles Blog

Good morning!!!! I am so happy that it is Friday, for two reasons. First, it is the weekend, but it is also my Birthday!!!!  My birthday has started out perfectly! My husband surprised me with dinner, and amazing seats to the LAKER GAME on Thursday! We had such a fabulous night!  I will be a little slow today, but it was worth it!
I will keep it sweet, and simple! I wanted to share with you, my last blog post is on the Pebbles Blog!  Today's tip is all about layering punches! I know I have said this to you before, but more amazing projects await you from the design team!
I have a fun, and easy Christmas project for you!  However, you are going to have to go HERE to see the full reveal!  I even have a short tutorial on the blog.  Please be kind! LOL My first attempt, and thanks so much to my best friend, Jeannette, for helping me!!!
I will give you a sneak peek:

I hope you will enjoy this project, so hop on over to the Pebbles Blog to see the entire project!
I have a jam packed weekend ahead of me!  It begins today with breakfast, lunch, and dinner plans, with amazing friends.  Then I hope to have a few hours to gather some supplies, and head over to crop at my favorite scrapbooking store, Timeless! Treasures! ( I have not a clue on what I will be working on) I will be cropping with some of my special friends, thanks to my husband!  A truly blessed day for me!
Thank you for stopping by!!!  Happy Friday, and have a wonderful weekend!!!

 

Simple Inspiration

Good morning!!!  Today, it is Inspiration Wednesday on the Pebbles Blog!  I am sharing the things that inspire me, when I scrapbook.  For me I draw my inspiration from my children, my photographs, new scrapbooking product, (yes, I said it, LOL), and my scrapbooking studio! It really is the simple things that make me happy!  So hop on over to HERE, and I would love to know what inspires you!
In case you missed it, I shared the following layout, on the Pebbles Blog on Monday. I am the blog hostess this week!

"the most wonderful time of the year"

Supplies:
Cardstock: Pebbles, So tweet Collection
Patterned Paper: Pebbles, So tweet Collection
Ribbon: Pebbles
Chipboard Elements: Pebbles
Label diecuts: Quickutz
Stamp: Hampton Arts
Embossing folder: Swiss Dots, Cuttlebug

Thanks for visiting!  I would love to know you stopped by!  Happy Wednesday!

 

Pebbles "Punch it Out" Challenge

Wahooo!!! I am the blog hostess on the Pebbles blog this week!  I love punches, and used them every time I create!  I challenged the Pebbles Design Team to dust off their punches, and put them to work.  I know I have said this before, but I am so thankful to be a part of this team.  It is a group of very talented women!  Every time a project is uploaded, I am simply amazed. So you do not want to miss this week. Seriously, eye candy to inspire you!
I designed a layout for my challenge, that I have been wanting to document for some time.  Who loves Starbucks?? Well, my family does!  However, we do not frequent Starbucks every day. It is more of a treat for them on special occasions.  However, when the "red" cup makes its appearance, my children know what this means!  There will be more visits to Starbucks!  My kids love their hot cocoa!  We grab our cocoa, sit, and enjoy!
So I thought the title, "the most wonderful time of the year", was appropriate!

 

However, you are going to have to visit HERE, to see the full reveal!  So hop on over to the Pebbles Blog, grab your "red" cup of hot cocoa, and read this week's challenge.  While you there, if you have not already, read the archives of past challenges. Trust me, you will be inspired!  
I do want thank all those that left me a comment concerning my "St. Nick" Altered Christmas Frames.  I read each one, and want to thank you for your kind words!  I truly appreciate them! 
Happy Monday!

Adornit Blog Hop

Wahoooo!!!  It is the Making It Merry Adornit Blog Hop!!!  Thank you for stopping by!  If you came here first, be sure to start at the very beginning of the blog hop!  You do not want to miss the great list of participants, and their amazing projects. So begin HERE, to begin the hop!  You are sure to find tons of eye candy along the way!
If you found my blog, hopping from the previous participant,WELCOME!  I am so glad to have you here! If you are a reader of my blog, WELCOME BACK!
Just a little about myself.  My name is Suzanne, and I am currently living in Southern California.  I took a little hiatus from my blog, due to the recent move.  I was in Texas(my hometown), the last year.  I have been here three months, and I realize California is home! (I will always be a Texas girl at heart!)  I am married, and have three beautiful children.  I absolutely love this hobby!
It is a Making It Merry Blog Hop, and it is the most wonderful time of the year! Halloween, Thanksgiving, NBA Basketball, NFL Football, and Christmas, are my favorite times of the year!  I love it all!! I want to share with you my current, LOL, favorite project for the holidays!  
This idea transpired from the Halloween Banner I designed last year.  I used the Making Memories Kit, and added my own touches!  I knew immediately the paper I wanted to use when I first saw it!  I love the colors of  Mistletoe by Making Memories! These are the colors that I use, to decorate for the holidays!  I wanted to make a similar banner, that had details, here and there. However, I realized that the area I wanted to hang the banner, would not work.  (We hang our stockings over the mantle.) I decided to create the same idea, however, using picture frames to hold my individual panels.  Framed scrapbook art is really big right now. Well, I think it is, anyway! LOL
I originally wanted to attached them together. However, my friend(Jeannette), suggested if they were freestanding, I would have the ability to change how they are displayed!  Loved it!
Here is my Making It Merry Project:  "St. Nick" Altered Christmas Frames

They were really simple to make, and I am inspired to make one for Thanksgiving, Valentine's Day, and Halloween.  I can see one called Spooky, right now! They make such a beautiful display, and would make great gifts too! You can use them every year! This project will be a beautiful addition to your home decor, and can be set on a table, shelf, mantle, counter, etc! 
A few details of the individual frames: 
 
(the stamp used in this photo is my favorite at the moment!)


 

 
I hope you are inspired to make your own "framed art!"  I better stop writing, because the blog hop continues with KIM ROSE! Hop on over HERE, and let the party continue!!!  Thanks for stopping by, and HAPPY FRIDAY!

Halloween Past

This Halloween was full of activity for us!  We spent the majority of the day at the local Pumpkin Patch.  It is small, but there is a lot of activities to keep the kids happy! Of course, we could not leave without picking out our pumpkins! This Halloween was even more special, because we had this special person with us! 
Macie with her Daddy:

It was a very excruciating hot day, but being together made it special! A few photos of our time at the Pumpkin Patch!

 

 
After the Pumpkin Patch, we had lunch and went home to begin carving their pumpkins! We spent Halloween night with dear friends!  Gabi had been invited to a Halloween party.  I kept struggling with, do I let her go, or do I keep her with me? The family that was hosting the party, is such a delightful family! That was not the issue. She has had sleepovers with friends, but I was not ready to let her go trick or treating without us! She is growing so fast, and for me holidays are special, when we can all be together. 
In the end, I was happy that she agreed to stay with us. I knew this was a big decision for her.  She wanted to be with us, but at the same time with her cheer friends.  When she knew we would be trick or treating with one of her best friends, this did help the situation!(She did end up spending the night after trick or treating, so not all was lost!)

This year all three of my kids loved their costumes!  Last year, Gabi was not too happy about the costume she had chosen.  She was a candy corn, and after about an hour, the costume came off!  This year she loved it, and she said she was a "fairytude." I think it means a fairy with attitude! LOL I took a few photos of them before we left the house, because once the trick or treating begins, I cannot catch them!
I love this photo of Gabi:

Roman, luckily was not a pirate again!  He has an infatuation with people that work in the service!  He wanted to dress up as a person that helps others.  He decided on being a fireman!

Roman wanted me to take my black ink pad, and rub it across the costume! He wanted his costume to look like he had just been in a fire!  I could not do it!  I was afraid of ruining it!  LOL
Macie was a ladybug!  This is the second year in a row, she wanted to be a bug! Super cute bug, though!
 
Fantastic day all the way around!  I love Halloween!
I am off now to get my day started!  Lots to do! 
Enjoy your day, and Happy Wednesday!!!