Birthday Boy - Two Page Scrapbook Layout

 This little man has another birthday coming up next weekend! He will be nine years old!!! One more year until double digits. Not sure how this is possible. We love watching him grow and mature, and seeing where his strengths and interests will develop. This child is so smart! His brain works in a way that mine never has, and it's pretty impressive.

This is a layout from almost three years ago when he was six! I'm usually about a year or less behind on scrapbooking my photos. I do scrap chronologically for the most part. However, I put off taking photos, posting my layouts on my blog, etc. I like the creative aspects of scrapbooking, but the follow up work is definitely not my favorite. I have a pile of layouts I'm working on taking photos of  now (for my blog), but I just ran out of battery on my phone. So, time for a post!!

This is a fun pack of  My Minds Eye "Boys Will Be Boys" paper that I received quite awhile ago as a prize for one of my layouts being published in Scrapbook Cards & Today magazine. There was tons of coordinating boy paper, ephemera and even a cute set of robot stamps. I love all the colors, and it makes it so easy when everything coordinates beautifully.

My absolute favorite part of scrapbooking is figuring out the design of my layout. Where do I want to put my photos? Where will the title and journaling fit best? Also, creating my own title from Design Space. The title above was two different phrases that I merged together and sized to perfectly fit my space on the red banner. Remember when we used to have to attach each letter separately and hopefully get it to all line up with proper spacing and level on the page? Welding letters saves me that trouble. In this example, I wanted the letters B O Y to be separate from each other, but by merging them with the phrase above, I'm able to easily get perfect spacing and to work around the corner of the photo.

I used some of the leftover paper scraps to make banners, and borders to go along the edge of the red pennant. And, the cute little red and yellow robot adds the fun factor to the page. Using a few wallet size photos or cropping to 4x4 helps fit more photos on the page.

Hope you enjoyed this layout of my incredibly smart, handsome grandson!! We are so very proud of him! Looking forward to celebrating with him next weekend.

Sawyer Turns Five - Two Page Birthday Scrapbook Layout

Time sure does fly, even when we're "staying at home". Many have had more time to craft during this time, but we are actually working full time from home. This is such a unique time, but I must say that I love working from the comfort of my own home. I've been really productive and can do 98% of my job from here.

All of that to say, I'm so very thankful for my employer! They worked fast and hard to get more than 500 employees set up with all they need to work from home. Kudos to them!!

Now on to the point of my post today. My grandson's birthday is coming up quick!! Poor guy...quarantine birthdays are not ideal, but I know we will all do what we can to make the most of it. It may end up being one of the best!

Today I'd like to share the layout from his fifth birthday!

I love this boy paper pack from My Mind's Eye "Boy Crazy". The colors are so vintage and it's easy to mix and match the different patterns.

Stars and stripes, rockets, robots, and tennis shoes. What else could you need? Since he received stomp rockets for his birthday, I found a rocket image in Design Studio and added it for journaling.

There's a lot going on in this layout, but I love the way it turned out. It totally suits his fun personality. 

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!! Stay home and stay safe.

Two Page Scrapbook Layout - "Imagine"

I'm squeezing in a few more fall layouts before we're fully into the Christmas season.

 These beautiful photographs are from a fall photo shoot in 2014. It's taken me a while to get these posted!! What a gorgeous little family! They mean the world to me! This is my son, daughter-in-love, and our two beautiful grandchildren.

 I love these beautiful paper and journaling tag from My Minds Eye "Indie Chic". What beautiful way to show off my sweet family. The title is cut from Circut's "Graphically Speaking". I used the SU washi and 5 petal flower punch topped with a brad above the journaling tag.

 As families, things are never perfect, but we never give up and we love each other unconditionally. We are truly blessed beyond measure.

Thanks for stopping by my little blog today!

Two Page Scrapbook Layout - "Love These Moments"

I think this is the last layout to share from our trip to Holland, MI in 2014. These layouts make me long for another Lake Michigan getaway!

 Sunsets on Lake Michigan are amazing!! Every bit as beautiful as the ocean, but unsalted.

The paper is My Mind's Eye "Lost and Found", including the chipboard, brads, and stickers.  I used Cricut's "Edge to Edge" cartridge for the lovely sun and rays. The possibilities with this cartridge are endless to add a full page die cut to your layout. Check it out, if you haven't! The title font is Cricut's "Jubilee".

Thanks for stopping by my blog today. Come back soon!

Two Page Scrapbook Layout - "The Best is Yet to Be"

I was scrapping with friends last week, and wasn't able to do any blogging. But, today, I'd like to share a Lake Michigan layout with you.

These pics are from 2014 in Holland, MI where I sat for an insurance education update. In the process, we added to our list of "favorite" towns on Lake Michigan. The town is full of great little shops and the sunsets are to die for. The sand covered steps were a little bit of a challenge to get your footing on, but totally worth the extra effort.

 This man is my rock and best friend! We have a great time out exploring together.

The paper and embellies are from My Minds' Eye "Cut and Paste" collection. Nothing like a cute collection of paper to help a layout go together quickly. I often want to declare a certain set to be my "favorite", but honestly, I'm just in love with all beautiful paper. Aren't we all? 

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!!

Two Page Layout - "Life with you is a Hoot"

 

Here is my final (and favorite) layout from our 2013 anniversary trip to Nashville, IN. What an awesome place to get away together. This log cabin was such a treat. Here we are...still together after 28 years. =) 

We totally suck at selfies. Seriously...we took about twenty before we could stop laughing at the horrible pictures and take a few good ones. These turned out pretty cute, though. My husband is such an amazing man, and I can't imagine doing life without him. I'm truly blessed to share my time on earth with him.

 The paper is MyMinds Eye and don't you love the zipper ribbon from Close to My Heart? The cute pair of owls is from Cricut's Hoot N Holler.

Have a great day!

Two Page Scrapbook Layout - "So Sweet"

Here is the last, most precious layout from our Fall 2013 photo shoot. She's such a sweetheart, even when she's not full of smiles.

 Just look at that sweet face. Oh my goodness!!

 The My Minds Eye paper continues with this last layout of our family photo shoot. I love the beautiful designs in this set of paper and embellishments. I may need to buy more. I used some lace and purchased sticky circles to make the lace flowers topped with a button and scrappers floss.

Thanks for stopping by my blog today! I hope you are enjoying some time off as we celebrate the new year holiday. Be safe and make wonderful memories together!

Two Double Scrapbook Layouts - Fall Family Photo Shoot

Can you believe we are just as close to 2030 as we are to the year 2000? How is this possible? Time keeps ticking away, and the new years keep arriving with surprising regularity. Each year I'm reminded that we need to make the most of our time here on earth. Lets make each day count, because we will never get it back.

Do you have any snow yet? We had a green Christmas here in Indiana. I will miss the pretty fall foliage until we get some snow on the ground. Fall is still my favorite time of year and I adore all of the great photos we got during our Fall 2013 photo shoot. (Photo credit to Just Shoot Me Photography).

 This is a super easy layout with My Mind's Eye paper and embellishments.

 If you look closely at this tree you'll see the letter "L" carved into a heart. We didn't do the carving, so somebody else was looking out for our perfect photo shoot.

 Our sweet grandbaby is now 2 and 1/2 years old. She and her new baby brother put the sunshine in our lives!! We are so honored to be their grandparents.

It was raining the morning before our photo shoot, so my hubby and I decided to check out the area to see if it was muddy and if the leaves had started to change yet. Of course, we took a few "unofficial" pictures as we checked out the park.

 The paper is from Fancy Pants, Close to My Heart and StampinUp. I used StampinUps Fall Foliage stamp with a darker grey ink to create the leaf watermarks on the woodgrain paper. I was pretty happy with the look. The title is cut with Cricut's Lyrical Letters "jumbo".

Thanks for stopping by my blog today. I pray your 2015 will be healthy, happy and full of wonderful memory making.

Happy New Year to each one of you!!

Two Page Scrapbook Layout - "Our Boys"

Being a Mom is one of my greatest blessings! The responsibility of being a Mom changes through the years as does the relationship with your chidren as they grow up. However, even as they find that special someone, get married and have children, they will always be my absolute pride and joy!

Here's another layout from our fall family photo shoot of 2013. These are our boys! We couldn't be more proud of the young men they have become.

Most of the paper, banner, and chipboard accents are My minds Eye "Lost and Found".

 
 The "Boys" title is from Graphically Speaking and the word "our" is Kate's ABC's cartridge.

Thanks for stopping by my blog today. I hope you are enjoying your Chirstmas holiday season with those you love.

Two Page Scrapbook Layout - "Family" Fall Photo Shoot

Here's another layout from last fall's family photo shoot. This is my oldest son and his precious family! I am so proud of them!!!

 They are such a great pair, and they are making a fabulous home for our sweet grandchildren. Our newest grandchild is still a bun in the oven at the time of these pictures.

 The patterned paper is all My Minds Eye "Lost and Found". I can't get enough of these colors because they are so great for fall! Most of the embellishments are from the same packet of paper, but I layered them up with scalloped punches and brads.

The title is cut with Cricut's "Going Places" cartridge. There are several jumbled letter titles in this cartridge which have made it a worthy purchase. Look at our sweet granddaughter! She's so adorable. We are completely smitten. ;)

Thanks for stopping by my blog today! More fall family photo shoot layouts to come.

Two Page Scrapbook Layout - "Priceless" Fall Family Photos

Last fall, we took a couple of hours and got some great family portraits. For me, the memories of the shoot itself are just as great as the fabulous photos you get.

It had been rainy all day and I thought we might have to cancel the photographer, but it cleared up half an hour before we got together. The park wasn't too muddy, so it all worked out beautifully.

 I used My Mind's Eye "Lost & Found" because of the rich, traditional blues and gold that matched our clothing perfectly. Most of the embellishments were included with the MME paper pack.I added a few additional punched flowers and a punched "bitty banner" from StampinUp.

 I love the moss on the roof of this building! It was the perfect setting and our photographer is a friend which helped us relax a little. But seriously, how could she go wrong with this ridiculously good looking family??? :)

 

Thanks for stopping by my blog today. Stay tuned for more family portrait layouts.

Two Page Layout - "Splish Splash"

I can't believe I haven't posted these yet. These pictures were taken of Scarlet at the local park back in June, 2013. On a warm day, it's fun to watch the kids splash around and cool off.

 Look how tiny she is! She found where the water was trickling out and kept plugging up the whole with her finger.

The paper and embellishments are My Mind's Eye "Indie Chick" Saffron. The title is Cricut's "Lyrical Letters" jumbo font. I cut the border strips into pieces and mixed them all up as the border on the right side.

It's November, but this layout makes me wish it was warm enough for another splash in the park with my family.

Two Page Layout - "Play All Day"

Here's one more layout from the park last summer. Yes, this makes three double layouts from the park last year, but who's counting. =) It was one of those fun days where the pictures turned out and the memories were precious and scrap-worthy.

 The paper is My Minds Eye "Collectable" and Basic Grey "What's Up" (cloud paper). I love the color combination. Definitely cute enough paper to show off the fantastic pictures of my family.

 The title fonts are both from Cricut's Lyrical Letters and the clouds are from Graphically Speaking. I love all the banners and brads and all the pictures that I got on here. =)

Thanks for stopping by my blog today! Enjoy your week!

Two double layouts!! - Family Beach Vacation photo shoot

I hope that you and your family have taken time to enjoy a vacation together recently. Last May, we splurged on one week at a beach house in St. Augustine, Florida. What a treat! We made some great memories together. We planned in advance to take some family photos, so we set the theme and everybody packed an outfit for the photo shoot.

The paper is My Mind's Eye "Collectible". The title is cut with Cricut's Art Philosophy.

We didn't really know any photographers in the area, nor did we want to spend the money for a professional, so my husband took them! We love how they turned out and all the memories they bring back.

 This is my oldest son (above), his beautiful wife, and our precious grandbaby! We had a lot of fun together. It was so great to have all of us under one roof. They have a beautiful baby boy now, so maybe we will have to go again soon!

 Next up (below) is my youngest son and his (then) girlfriend. Here's where it gets tricky...All these beautiful photos that we'd love to display, with these two beautiful, photogenic people. But it's a little awkward since she is no longer part of the family. We enjoyed our time there together, though, so I still scrapbooked them all. Now that a little time has passed since the breakup, the memories are still sweet.

 Aren't these pictures fabulous? The weather had been so windy and a little unpredictable the whole week. But this evening, there was a perfect couple of hours just as the sun was getting lower in the sky. The clouds rolled in as we were finishing up. Thanks, God!

 The die cuts are also from MME "The Sweetest Thing" collection and the title is cut from the Jubilee cartridge. I adore this sunny woodgrain paper (MME Collectibles)!!  I wish I had more!

These layouts are some of my favorites!! My hubby did such a great job with the pictures and we had fun in the process. I have several more to share with you...another day.

Thanks for stopping by! I hope you can soak up a few rays this summer.

Two Page Layout - "What a Cutie Pie"

It's been a really long time since I've shared a layout of my precious grandbaby, Scarlet. We have so many darling photos of her. I seriously, can't keep up with the scrapbooking.

This layout features pictures from her 3 month photo shoot. Isn't she a doll baby? Okay..so I'm probably a tiny bit biased.=)

I found a wonderful stack of paper from My Minds Eye. It's bursting with chevrons, wood grains, and vintagey floral goodness. I thought it would be fun to tear the corners and add a layer of paper underneath. This was the first time I used my honeycomb screen. I just laid it down and sponged some ink in and around it, then sponged the torn edge with pink.

 The StampinUp paper butterflies were also sponged with pink. The banner is more MME scraps and Kraft stuck down side-by-side with faux stitch marks between.
The torn upper right corner is backed with another sheet stamped with the script from StampinUp's French Foliage. I added some additional banners and ball fringe.

 Thanks for stopping by today. I feel like I'm finally sliding into the weekend! Yay! We'll be heading for Florida on Monday for me to get continuing education credits for my insurance designation, followed by a beach vacation with my whole family! Can't wait!! I guess I'll have even more pictures to scrap when I return. =)