Shenanigans - Two Page Thanksgiving Scrapbook Layout

 I remember this Thanksgiving like it was yesterday. We had so much fun together just hanging out at the table, chatting and being silly.

Oh my goodness. I love them all! My grandbaby girl is now over 5 ft tall! I miss the way we all were at that Thanksgiving.

This may be a combination of different fall paper collections. Super easy layout using strips of coordinating patterned paper and stickers. 

Thanks for looking! Have a crafty week! I need a crafty week too!

Halloween - Two Page Scrapbook Layout

 Halloween is not one of my favorite holidays. But it's been fun to see it through their eyes and experience it with them. They typically hit another neighborhood and then come over to ours and we all walk around together as a family. I have loved that. We are so proud of our family, even in the midst of current struggles. Thankfully, these are very happy memories looking back...

The eyeball candy was a big hit. Of course, it's Reeses cups, so why wouldn't it be? And you can stick them in your eyes for even more fun. Oh my goodness. This layout is from Halloween 2018!Wow! Seems like yesterday.

This page was pretty simple with two different coordinating patterned papers and few stickers. But look at all of the pictures that I was able to work into the layout and still have some design! I like to overlap pictures too when the page is tight. It gives it a bit more casual look. Wallets and small squares are so helpful for this. I wanted to use them all. The striped paper across the middle is from the zip strips on the bottom of the patterned paper. Super easy to add a little detail with these.

There is just something about a little purple and green on a Halloween page. I love the way it turned out and look forward to Halloween with the grands again this weekend! Hope you all are having a great week.

Two Page Travel Layout - Bath House Ruins

Here's another layout from my newly completed Israel scrapbook! What a trip!!

Beit She'an was so fascinating. Beautiful columns, walls, tiles, arches, and a very interesting bath house.

 It was super hot (around 108-110)  even though it was still pretty early in the morning. But we made it without melting. I tried to envision the pool that was outside the bathhouse at one time....It would have been so refreshing in that climate.

I would have loved to seen this city when it was still intact and bustling with people.

Thanks for stopping in today.

Two Page Scrapbook Layout - "Sea of Galilee"

Ever been to Israel? Is it a bucket list trip for you? We never thought we'd fulfill this dream, but in 2017 we were invited to go for a work trip! What a surprise and great blessing!

 First day of touring was a short sail on the beautiful Sea of Galilee! It was smooth as glass that day and it was hard to imagine that is where Jesus calmed the storms and waves and Peter walked on the water.

 What a great group of people to experience this with. We read Bible verses and sang praises as we crossed to our next destination.

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Two Page Scrapbook Layout - "70 Years Young"

I'm blessed to have two sister-in-laws that are like sisters to me. I have a brother of my own, but no sisters.

 This beautiful SIL of mine turned 70 years old last year. She looks and acts so much younger than that. Age is truly just a number.

 My family is by far my biggest blessing! They make me laugh (non-stop), and give me a sense of belonging and purpose that I would struggle to have otherwise!

This page was pretty simple once I figured out the best way to layer the photos to get them all on the page. Washi tape on the corners, punched journaling banner tags and flowers...easy peasy!

Thanks for stopping by my blog today! Hope you are staying warm and hunkered down with the ones you love!

Two Page Scrapbook Layouts - Mackinaw Island

Mackinaw Island is one of our favorite places to visit. Whether we're lucky enough to spend a long weekend there, or even just a day trip, it's so much fun! Here's a few layouts from a few summers back. Our son joined us for the trip. We had a great time!

First....."Are We There Yet" - A layout of our bike ride around Mackinaw Island.

 Even I made it all the way around!! I had to walk my cruiser bike up one of the hills, but aside from that, the 8.2 mile trip was a breeze! My son and husband bike often and go much farther, so I was happy to keep up with them, for the most part.

 We rented our bikes and mine was a cruiser! I came home convinced that I needed to replace my mountain bike with a cruiser! For my birthday that year, I picked out my very own Electra Townie 7D. Oh my word...so much more comfortable and I love riding again.

Gorgeous views all the way around the island. Lots of places to stop, rest, skip stones, and take pictures.

We stayed one night on the island at a beautiful bed and breakfast just one street back from the main drag. What a gorgeous place! The flowers and the hospitality were amazing.

"Flower Power" at the Metevier Inn, Mackinaw Island

 I must admit this is probably the first time I've ever used lavender card stock! :) I like the way it turned out, though. I can almost smell the flowers.

 Such a fun place to stay. They thought of everything to make our stay memorable.

If you've never been, you need to go and experience Mackinaw Island overnight. Maybe I should start collecting commissions from the MI Convention Bureau. 😃 You really don't need to go to California or Florida to experience beautiful coastal views and beaches. #puremichigan

More Birthday Scrapbook Layouts

So many birthdays!! I try to tell myself that age is just a number. I'm truly blessed and loving all the life that I'm given. Here's a layout from my birthday a few years back. I don't normally scrap my own day because I'm normally behind the camera...just the way I like it. :)

 We usually go to Banditos (local mexican restaurant) because it's free to eat on your big day!

 I think my youngest son must have still been at college that year. This is my oldest son, beautiful wife, and adorable kiddos.

I love this crazy family of mine. They are my heart!

And...my sweet hubby's birthday. I'm not even sure if these are all from the same year, but it doesn't really matter.

 I made him Key Lime pie in memory of our recent trip to Key West for our anniversary.

This man blesses me every day with his love! I totally got the best guy! Sorry for the rest of you.

And one more...Here's a birthday layout of my two boys who are now grown men. These two...oh boy! So many stories and laughs together. I should explain that they both share the exact same day for their birthday. I'm tricky like that, I guess. They don't always appreciate the uniqueness of sharing a birthday, but I think it's wonderul...lol!

 We drove down to spend the evening with our youngest at Ball State and his precious girlfriend (now wife). It's always a party with this bunch. 💗

 This seems like it was forever ago. So many changes since then, but all of these great memories still come flooding back.

 Thanks for looking at all the birthday layouts. Oh...there's a bunch more, but they'll have to wait for another day.  Thanks for stopping by my blog!!

Two Page Scrapbook Layout - "Darling"

Our granddaughter is the sweetest! She's such a blessing to our family. She's funny, spirited, and sometimes even feisty, but she is and always will be my sunshine.

These pics were taken of an outing with just her and PawPaw and I. We had a fun breakfast and time at the park.

Wow! How was this two years ago, already??

College Graduation - two page scrapbook layouts

It's been so very long since I posted! Thanks for hanging around long enough to see another post. Life has been good to me since April, and I hope it has been for you as well.

My "baby" graduated from Ball State University a few Decembers ago. Here are the layouts of this major achievement! What an exciting day!

I like the way they both turned out. I really can't pick a favorite...Can you?

 I'm a multi-photo layout kind of girl! I put a lot of work into all of them, and I can rarely tell the whole story in just one photo.

It's good to be back in the blogging saddle! Life has just been very busy lately, but very good!!

Two Page Scrapbook Layout - "Merry & Bright"

Last December, my husband and I celebrated 30 years of marriage in Key West, FL! What a great trip! These pictures were taken on our anniversary. We went out to dinner and then drove around looking at the Christmas lights in town. The pictures we took turned into kind of a tropical Christmas/anniversary page.

 I love the wood-grain paper from Heidi Swapp's Christmas stack. The mini lights across the top of it set the stage for the design.

 The palm tree was cut with my Cricut. I forgot to make a note of the cartridge, but I had fun decking it out for Christmas.

 The picture of us is not the best, but it still captures the memories. I'm not sure why I wasn't smiling more...I really am happy. LOL!

Sometimes it's tough to choose photos, so I print them in wallets in order to use as many as possible. There are 11 pictures here, and still room for some fun embellies.

I have several layouts from our KeyWest anniversary trip which I plan to share after the New Year. Stop back for some warm and sunny layouts.

Two Page Layout - "Location..."

The views along the Big Sur are amazing and totally worth the curvy drive. I almost felt bad that my husband had to keep his eyes on the road, because I definitely got to see way more of the sites than he did.

 We took full advantage of the many opportunities to pull off the road and take photos. Each stop seemed even more gorgeous than the last.

 We stopped to see the elephant seals at Piedras Blancas, just before we got off the Big Sur and headed for Cambria. The seals were very noisy (and a little stinky), but fun to watch.

The paper is Sandlion's "Board Walk" and the title is from Graphically Speaking, along with the star next to the title. The larger stars were printed on the paper, so I added a brad to the center for additional definition.

Thanks for stopping by my blog today. Stay tuned for more California Dreamin' layouts.

Two Page Layout - "Craft On"

Do any of you love to go away for an entire weekend and scrapbook with your friends? I am a lucky girl and get do this 3 times a year!! Woot! My husband is such a sweetheart and doesn't mind too much when I take off for a weekend of scrapbooking with friends.

The River Retreat House, Perrysville, Indiana, is one of my favorite scrapbooking destinations!! A beautiful old house to relax and enjoy time away with friends. It's totally worth the drive.

 So here is my scrapbook page about my scrapbooking weekend. =)

 The paper and embellishments are Echo Park's "This & That" collection.

 The title is from Cricut's Quarter Note cartridge. Here's a close up of the cute, itty bitty banner. The baker's twine is strung between two brads with a key.

If you ever want a great weekend or time away with friends be sure to check out the River Retreat House. It's a beautiful, relaxing destination.