Long overdue update, and new things to share!

Yes, in fact it has been forever. This month has been a little challenging for me, and I truly apologize for not being around more. But things are looking up and I really hope to have lots to share over the coming weeks!

So where have I been?? I had a challenge earlier in the month in which I had a bizarre reaction to some medication, which also caused me to tweak my neck. I have been gradually recovering and working through the pain and am nearly back to myself! In the meantime I have been crazy busy with work, kids, start of school, stamp class, and a new Design Team commitment...whew!

Lauren started Kindergarten last week - WOW, can you believe it! Here is a photo from her first day

She also had a Hula Show last week - she was so adorable! Here is a pic of her with her cousin before the show:


They had so much fun! The boys have been busy and are enjoying the start of school as well, but sadly I did not end up with any fabulous pictures of them this week - need to get snapping a few more! We are leaving shortly for a BBQ at my mom's so maybe I can get some good ones of them there!

My really exciting news for the week is that today begins my role on the Design Team at Making Memories for You. I am so excited to be able to be a part of this team. I love the people on this board, and really enjoy spending time there - if you haven't done so already, come by and check it out - and PLEASE join in the fun! My design team commitment is through November, and I am really looking forward to sharing fun things with you during that time.

This month I received a Fabulous "Big and Juicy" kit from Kelly at Keep In Touch. This kit was jam packed with scrappy goodness! It was a travel themed kit, featuring mostly items from the Making Memories Passport line. Since we just returned from a trip to NY, I was inspired to complete a travel album. I had an acrylic album in my stash just waiting to be used. This was my first attempt at an acrylic album, and it was worth the challenge - I had a lot of fun making this! In addition to the acrylic album, I also used stamps, felt trim, lace, a couple of the flowers, chipboard and alpha stickers from my stash. All of the papers and all of the other embellishments and trims are from this amazing kit. Thanks Kelly and MMFY!

Here is the album I created:




I also created a card for DT...I added the red Bazzill, thickers and rubons, stamped image and the prima to the card, papers, trim and button from the kit:

Well, that is all for now. Thankfully I am feeling better and getting my "GROOVE" back, so hopefully you will see a lot more of me in September.

Happy Scrapping and HUGS!!
KP

I'm able to share this after all...

I am sad to say that I was eliminated from the contest that I was participating in, because I did not read the rules carefully enough and uploaded incorrectly. I felt pretty silly at first, but then realized that half the contestants made the same mistake, so I guess that just confirms that I am average! LOL. But even though I am sad not to be moving on and playing in the contest, I am delighted to be able to share this layout with you. I created this layout for the WWW.MakingMemoriesForYou.Org Simplicity Or Embellishment Contest.





This layout is of my bestest and sweetest friend, Charissa. Yep, she rocks.

Patterned papers and Die Cut are Pink Paislee. Cardstock is Bazzill and SU. Lace is from Joanne's. The chipboard alpha is Scenic Route, and the alpha stickers are Basic Grey. I made the flowers using old newspaper. I sprayed them with Walnut Ink and then sponged on some blue ink. I found the idea to make flowers like these here - I think they are FABULOUS and love the way they work on this layout....you should try it! They were a lot of fun to make! The stems are just torn and rolled cardstock.

Aside from this one, I have just been working on cards. Slowly I might add. I spent the weekend with a HORRENDOUS migraine and am just getting back to myself, so I hope to get in some productive time this week and get the cards done so I can get back to SCRAPPIN!! Have a wonderful fabulous amazing week!

Okay, I know...

I am a serious blog slacker!! I apologize for not updating sooner...life has been... yes let's say it together...CRAZY! We made it back from our amazing trip, and things have not settled down since! I have not even had a chance to edit the photos yet, but I promise I will share them (and the scrappy pages I create with them) soon. We went to Niagara falls - it was gorgeous! And we had a great time toodling around Western NY - I am so amazed at how absolutely beautiful it was there, and I just loved the small town feel and gorgeous old homes in the town we stayed in. I LOVED IT there! The wedding was lovely, and it was an all around good time.

Since we got back, I have been trying to recover the lost sleep from travel weariness, and keeping really busy with work. I have done a little scrapping, and have one page to share with you today.



This layout is of my daughter Lauren with her cousins Adeline and Lily on Lauren's 5th birthday. My husband brought home a gigantic cardboard box from work and made it into a castle - the girls had so much fun playing in it! And aren't they just the cutest little things ever!

I created this layout using patterned papers from GCD Studios and Creative Imaginations, foam letters from American Crafts (thickers), alpha stickers from Pink Paislee, brads from Creative Imaginations, rhinestones are Crystal Elements. I used an exacto to cut the flower design from patterned paper. I stitching is done by hand. I cut the butterflies using Scenic Route chipboard as a template, added glitter and rhinestones and raised with 3d glue dots.

I am working on some other layouts, but they are for a contest over at MakingMemoriesForYou, and I am not allowed to post them until after the contest ends...so if you want to see them before then you will have to visit the gallery here. The contest opens and entries are due tomorrow, August 3rd so come check it out! I am also busy working on card designs and prep for my upcoming Stamp A Stack, but can't share those yet either. Here's hoping I get a LOT more scrappy time next week!

Hope you all have a great weekend...
hugs, KP