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!!!

Family- Word of the Year

I made this layout for Scrapfit's Workout #57 Word of the Year.  I chose "Family" and fortunately this also qualifies for  Simon Says Stamp's anything goes challenge! I love those. I used some new things my hubby got me for Christmas--the spellbinders label die, the Tim Holtz leaves dies and the Tim Holtz wood-grain embossing folder!

Thanks for visiting! I'm going to be doing a lot more scrapbooking soon. I think I have my mojo back!!!!

This Was a Difficult Layout for Me to Do

I made this layout for PageMaps.  We just lost our nephew Alex tragically on February 16.  I felt like I needed to do this layout, but it was really hard!  I'm also entering this in Scrapfit's challenge to stand by your man! This is about as masculine as I get...  I also entered this at Sketches 4 All.

Don't forget to enter my blog candy!

My Sister's Wedding - 1988

In the midst of our impending blizzard here in the Midwest, I have suddenly gotten the scrapbooking mojo going!  Three layouts in a row!  I made Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday's layouts on Monday and thought I's spread them out over the week! I used Sweet Peach Crop Shop's beautiful January sweet kit that I won earlier this month and their January sketch to create this layout! I did add some Kaiser Pearls, a little lace from my stash and some Prima flowers (just because they matched the paper perfectly)! Sweet Peach Crop Shop's kits are a lot of fun!

Halloween 1997

I made this using Sketch Inspiration's Sketch #146 for Scrapfit's Workout #30 challenge to use lime green, orange, purple and black.  I used cardstock in the squares. I decided to emboss all of the squares with different Cuttlebug folders.  The green paper under the photo is some very textured I bought from Sizzix many years ago.  The pp and tags are MME (from Stacy HW/Val).  That fun orange and white-polka dotted button was given to me by Kristy from Buttons and Bows.

Julie- Prom 2010

I added a bird for the Paper Variety challenge.  I used mist for Let's Scrap. I sprayed it on the tiny yellow flower in addition to the papers. I stamped a flowery image by spraying the stamp and then stamping in a couple of spots.  I also painted the letters with a Shimmerz paint pot. This is my beautiful niece in her senior year. She was dressed for 2010 Prom...

Chopping Wood for Grammie and Poppy - Fall, 2009

I made this layout as part of the Sketches for All/You Sketch-a-ton/back to school challenge! It runs until the end of September.  They will have Nikki Sivils and Cherie from Sassy Lil' Sketches as a guest designers!! You really don't want to miss it! There are prizes to be won, so please come join in on the fun!


I used some We R Memory Keepers papers that I won from Abby who is one of the co-founders of The Paper Variety, a new challenge site!

Back to School - My twin and me

I made this layout I made this layout as part of the Sketches for All/You Sketch-a-ton/back to school challenge! It runs until the end of September.  It has been a lot of fun so far and it doesn't really start until the weekend! They will have Nikki Sivils as a guest designer and Cherie from Sassy Lil' Sketches!! There are prizes to be won, so please come join in on the fun!

Kelly's New Bike - 1972

This is one GROOVY layout! I totally forgot how my mom decorated our house back then!  My dad made our kitchen cabinets, and Mom painted them and made the curtains.  I made this layout by scraplifting Mandy Starner's Midway Lights September layout over at Up The Street.  This is their September challenge.  I am also entering it in the weekly American Crafts contest.  This week you are to scrap a page of yourself with at least 2 AC products! Practically my whole layout is American Crafts!


SUPPLY LIST:


American Crafts:

1. Blue Skies
1. Good Thing:  background paper
2. Oh Happy Day: paper beneath photo
3. Flair, relax
4. ribbon (orange/white)
2. AC Cardstock Autumn, red cardstock:  photo mat, Title, butterfly
3. Thickers, Dear Lizzy: bicycle 
4. Pen, black

Other supplies:
CTMH Autumn terracotta ink

Cricut (title)

Butterfly punch by Martha Stewart

red/white torn paper is scrap

Unleashed

I made this for Practical Scrappers Friday Sketch. I'm a little late on this since they've already posted the next Friday sketch, but I think I had to the end of the month to finish! I think it fits Andrea's color challenge for July over at PIT also.  It fits Blue Moon, too!

I'm excited to announce that I'm a Lipstick Chick-I made it on my first Design Team

Doesn't this Alterations kit from Color Me Miki look like fun?


Now, wouldn't you like to play along with me to have a chance of winning the kit?  I will be on the Design Team for the XOXO from May to August! If you would like to play along, for a CHANCE TO WIN SOME GREAT PRIZES, go tohttp://truexoxogirls.blogspot.com/2010/05/challenge-9-sponsored-by-color-me-miki.html.  All you have to do is pick a layout [or TWO--really do as many as you want as that increases your chance to win] that you would like to scraplift.  [Hopefully mine ;-) ]  UPLOAD YOUR SCRAPLIFTED LAYOUT TO YOUR BLOG. Then, add your link to the comments.  Do this by May 31, 2010.  Make sure you come back after the challenge to vote.  The winning layout will win a prize! Our May SPONSOR is "Color Me Miki."

Here is my layout!