Welcome Home New Baby

THE STORY:  the boys (my husband and son) had been begging for a dog ever since we moved into our new house.  The idea was that he wouldn't have to be left alone for long hours since we'd be so much closer to my husband's work, and he works from home often. Well, I kept saying "NO!" since I'm allergic. Steve (my husband) had been stalking Craig's list and the Humane Society and saw our Charlie's photo the second it was posted.  Well, I took one look at this little puppy's photo, and he was in our car one-half hour later--and he lived in the next town over....!!!!  Even though I do have the allergy problem, it is kinda worth it! He's such a sweetie (to us)!  Charlie has worked his way into all of our hearts, and we can't imagine life without him now!  I made it for the PageMaps challenge. Here's the sketch!

Our Little Sweetie

I used Pam's fun sketch challenge 223 to create this little layout of our puppy who is now quite a bit bigger!!! I created it at the suggestion of my friend at Garden of Grace to enter it into challenge 27 All God's Creatures at Scrapping Everyday Miracles challenge this month. The twist was to add a quote: I used is "You had me at Woof" which is a slight variation from a movie...

Most of the embellies I used were from Amy Tangerine's collection--I won it somewhere and can't remember where? sorry and thanks at the same time!

Anyway, have a great day!!!

Graduation from High School

I was pretty happy with how this turned out. The only thing that would make it better is if these two were still dating. But, you know, if it is meant to be, they will meet again when they are older. I wish only the best for both of them.  I am entering this into Simon Says Stamp Anything Goes. It is my 2nd entry.  I used Close to My Heart papers and borders, and the Harriet Tubman quote is also from there.  The date stamp is Amy Tangerine (American Crafts) and the embellishments come from all over the place:  American Crafts, Pink Paislee, Basic Grey, Crate Paper, October Afternoon.  I love it when you can coordinate different collections into one awesome layout! It is one of my favorites that I've done in a long time.

We have renters in the house we left. They are the original family who wanted to purchase the house. They love it so much--sounds like as much as we loved it! We met them the day they moved in, and they seemed really nice. Their intent is to lease for a few months until they can get their credit score upped a little bit after having paid off some medical bills. It sounds like a risk, but it  feels like this is the right thing. Please continue to pray for us and/or send us some positive vibes.

Mitch and Emily

Here's a sweet photo of Mitch and Emily. They were making Christmas cookies! She had just gotten off from work and was a little sleepy so she was resting her head on Mitch's arm when he leaned over to kiss her forehead! How very sweet! Anyway, I used two different collections of Pink Paislee on this. I also layered the photo with three mats which is rare for me! I rubbed some Distress ink on the photo as well as the mats. I also decided to add a corner punch to the photo to emphasize it a little bit. I sprayed a little bubblegum Tattered Angels on the background paper.  It is one of my favorite layouts that I've done in a while--mainly because of what it represents! The happiness of two of my favorite people!!!

I am entering this into Frosted Designs Fabulous Friday Challenge - Shape it Up! The three small die-cut hearts are my 3 alike shapes! I also used 3 different patterned papers to fit Simon Says Stamp's latest challenge.  Two are in felt.

Thanks for visiting!!!

Smiles are the Soul's Kisses

I have been wanting to do a layout with this photo ever since I got it back from the printers.  This morning, I saw this fantastic sketch over at Write Click Scrapbook. It is a Page Maps sketch from Becky Fleck.  I was also inspired by The Paper Variety's photo challenge and added the XO for Scrapfit's Workout #62 XOXO challenge. 

We have been busy with new house activities as well as keeping the house clean in the hopes of a sale of our current house. We don't have to close until July so we have a little time, and we are just crossing our fingers that everything works out just right!  Our move kind of signifies a new start for our family. Our son will be entering college next year, and Steve and I will be transitioning into "empty nesters." Mitch is so busy now that sometimes we already feel like "empty nesters," but college kind of makes it official!!

Anyway, thanks for visiting!!! Please leave a comment if you have a chance, and I will try to get around to your blog soon!!!

Sunset at the Beach - San Diego, CA

I'm so excited to have found some time to scrapbook!!!!!  My friend Stacy gave me the Pink Paislee map paper. I've really wanted to dig into it ever since I received it!!! I'm so glad we have the house ready for sale, and we can do some of the things we enjoy doing for a change! I left the part with the United States portion of the map paper visible above the clouds since we were travelling in the states.  I made this layout using a sketch from Artful Delight! I thought the sketch was awesome and used some of the elements as the sun and clouds!  I am also entering this at Scrapfit for challenge #61 to begin with white cardstock!  I sprayed some Tattered Angels (2 colors) and some Mr. Huey Mist on the white background.  Even though this is simple, I think it turned out really well. As usual, it is much prettier in person! I zap-dotted the middle photo to make it stand out more.

Thanks for visiting!

Love

 

I made this layout of all of the Massman boys and their wives! We had these fun photos taken when we had some group family photos taken in November.  I made it using Sketchy Thursday's LAST sketch. Boo hoo! I love their sketches! Anyway, I finished it this evening just in time to enter into The Paper Variety's challenge to use black/white and a kiss of color.  The sketch and prompt seemed to go perfectly with the photos!!!! Don't you agree?

Thanks for visiting!

Old Point Loma Light

Point Loma in the San Diego, California, area is one of the most beautiful places we have ever been. And, we've seen a lot of places during our travels throughout the United States over the years! I literally had tears in my eyes when we drove along the road that parallels the ocean at Point Loma. I was happy to do this layout which I am entering in Simon Says ,,,,, Anything Goes :-)!!

Thanks so much for visiting! I'd love it if you stopped to say "hello" in the comments!!!

Our Home - in the Blizzard of 2006

I made this layout for The Paper Variety's challenge to include the word "home", a embellishment, or a house theme on your paper project.using Sketchy Thursday's latest sketch! I found these photos of our home in a big snow back in 2006 when I was looking through old Christmas cards recently. I thought it was fun that the perfect sketch and challenge came up right after I found them!

Thanks for visiting!

Phoenix Airport

My sister and I had some time to kill at the airport when our trip to Phoenix was over so we decided to head up to the rooftop of the airport terminal.  We had such a great view. We were glad someone told us to go up to take a look. I made this layout with Sketchy Thursday's 9.1 sketch challenge--I flipped it, though! I love that airplane patterned paper from Studio Calico!

Thanks for visiting! Hope you are having a great week!

I finally felt like scrapping again

I loved the sketch from Sketch Inspiration (#235) this week, so I got back into my huge stack of photos from the Phoenix trip I took in June with my twin sister, Karen!!!  I totally love to scrap simply and get a lot of photos in my layout. I used some Pebbles, My Mind's Eye papers, a fun flag from Nikki Sivils, some letter brads (maybe Paper Suite from Hobby Lobby), a fun journaling spot from Pink Paislee and some stamping/inking from CTMH for this simple layout from the Phoenix Desert Botanical Garden. I found a fun new (to me) anything goes challenge  at CropStop, so I thought I'd give it a whirl.

Point Loma brings about Contemplation

I decided to try out a new technique (to me) to fit with Lasting Memories layout challenge and added string to the bottom to meet The Paper Variety's challenge for this week.  My new technique was to paper piece using canvas.  I also used some crackle paint on the chipboard and boat hull.  These photos were taken at Point Loma! It was such a beautiful place. I could have stayed there all day!

Thanks for visiting!  I really appreciate it! Have a great day!

My Beautiful Mother in 1963

I made this out of the Heartfelt collection from MLS! I just love it! Erin sent it over to me! I was thrilled to get it as it is my favorite collection from them!  I look at this picture and see so much beauty there! My mother had this made for my dad when he was sent overseas right after they got married! It must have been hard for them to be separated. They haven't been separated since and are still as in love now as they were then!  I'm entering this in a challenge at Sketches 4 All...

Thanks so much for stopping by! It makes my day!

My Mom at Thanksgiving 2010

I made this layout of my mom  in her kitchen at Thanksgiving in 2010 for Scrapfit's latest challenge.  I was so surprised that my mom actually let me take a picture of her.  My dad built the kitchen by hand.  It's hard to tell, but their counter tops look like little cookies to me.  The Lily Bee Design paper couldn't go better with them if they tried! :-   For Scrapfit's challenge, we were to use strips on our layout from 2 different manufacturers--mine are from Lily Bee Design and CTMH.  I also included a row of embellies as instructed.   I used a doily, rhinestones, pearls and a flower for Michelle's challenge at Sketches 4 All.


By the way, most of the layout came together as a result of winning a kit from Scrapcetera.  I was surprised when Sarah closed her kit club.  She offered her very well designed kits at such a reasonable price.  I believe she is still selling her remaining kits on Etsy. Here is the link if you'd like to check it out! http://www.scrapcetera.com/

Autumn - 1995

I made this for several challenges at Sketches 4 All--Melissa O'Neill, Wendy Crow and Stacy Harper Watson's to be exact! I combined the challenges so that I could enter Stacy's "Ya Ain't Gettin' Off that Easy" challenge which is to incorporate 3 or more challenges into one layout!  I am also entering it into Frosted Designs because I did some distressing!

Autumn was the best dog I ever had! I originally got her so that I could train her to be a Support Dog for the disabled.  However, she developed hip dysplasia, so they couldn't use her. When I found that out, I chose to adopt her.  She would have been such a good help to someone! She was so eager to please.  She's been gone a long time, but I think of her all of the time!  Now, I am allergic to dogs (all kinds--even the ones that are good for people with allergies)! Isn't that weird? I had one of the most shedding dogs in Autumn, and now I wouldn't even be able to have her...

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!!!! Blessings are sent your way!

My twin sister and me - a long time ago

I made this with a kit I bought from Timeless Daydreams and a few pieces I won from Lucky Girl Crafts for Scrap Whispers.  Our team didn't win, but it was fun to play.  

Julie and Eric at the Prom

I made this layout of my niece and her boyfriend in their Prom clothes for The Paper Variety's first challenge!  I used some elegant paper mixed with some "cute-sy" elements with glitter to make this more fun! Julie's dress has some sparkle to it, and I wanted it to seem sort of carefree just like teenagers should be with just a touch of elegance because they are all dressed up!