June Scrapbook Pages

We survived another school year and end of the year dance recital, and I’ve found a bit more time to scrap now that dance is in hiatus for a couple of weeks- yay! Summer seems to be as busy as ever so far, so we will see how long I can keep it up.

….. Well, that happy hopefulness of accomplishing lots during our summer break didn’t last much longer. Mark brought home a very nasty respiratory illness from the office and it wiped us both out for almost a month. We managed to muster enough energy to spend with my sister and her family when they visited at the end of June and that pretty much did me in for the rest of the month and the first week of July. Mark ended up with an early stage pneumonia and I had a nasty sinus infection. A full week of antibiotics are finally helping me see the end of the tunnel; I was beginning to wonder if they were working at all. So, here are the pages that I got done in June- not too shabby an amount, I just wish I had been able to do more.

 
credits: at The-LilyPad.com: My Manly Man Papers and Elements by Michelle Godin, Capricious Alphas by Kim Jensen; font: FO Messy Bessy

 
credits: at The-LilyPad.com: Capricious Papers, Elements and Alphas by Kim Jensen, May 2013 template freebie by Amy Martin; font: Typewriter

 
credits: by Sahlin Studio at The_LilyPad.com: Practically Perfect, Fairest One Of All, June 2013 Template blog freebie; at Scrapbookgraphics.com: Lorie Davison- Mouse Masquerade (spoon), Wendyzine- Sand Brush, Flergs- Magical Christmas Shimmerz; font: Typewriter

 
credits: Edgy and Angled by Crystal Livesay at PixelsandCompany.com; Love You More Than Ice Cream by Jenn Barrette at SweetShoppeDesigns.com; Masks We Wear at DigitalFreebies.com; font: Vintage Typewriter

  credits: Happy To Be by Maya at Scrapbookgraphics.com; font: Typewriter

  credits: at scrapbookgraphics.com: Studio Mix 48 Garden Party by Studio Girls, blended template 11 by Rosey Posey;  font: Pushkin

  credits: at scrapbookgraphics.com: Studio Mix 48 Garden Party by Studio Girls; font: Cezanne

 
credits: at PixelsandCompany.com: Free Love by Pixels & Company Designers, Creashens- Kalea Bits 8 and Sunny Side Upsie Daisies Alphabet, Robyn Meierotto- In Stitches; font: Caflisch Script Pro

journaling: Tap 3 dancers became pirates for this year’s recital
dance. A mix of music from the movie soundtrack and David Garrett’s "He’s a Pirate” leant a mysterious and fun mood to Ms. Cindy’s dance about a pirate crew searching for a buried treasure.  Jareth Spirio lent his acting talents to us again this year and played the role of Jack Sparrow, who makes a deal with Megan to find the hidden treasure and do whatever it takes to keep it all for themselves. In the end, no one but Jack and Megan are still standing.
credits: A Pirate's Life For Me by Jenn Barrette at SweetShoppeDesigns.com, Template 334 by Yin Designs; font: CK Pirate's Hand

  
journaling: I wasn’t sure about this song the first few times I heard it, but by the end of class this year this dance was one of my favorites. It’s pure jazz- the how low can you get down into the floor kind of hard hitting jazz that when done right has to be watched to the end. It’s just that cool.
Music- Aint Nothing Wrong With That by Robert Randolph & the Family Band, choreography by Amanda Browning
credits: Studio Mix 47 - Bold & True Kit and Wordart by Studio Girls at scrapbookgraphics.com; Template 225 by Yin Designs
font: TXT Romanesque, SP Wonderful Wendy

 
credits: at scrapbookgraphics.com: Studio Mix 47 - Bold & True Kit by Studio Girls, Blended Template Bundle 12 by Rosey Posey; font: SP Wonderful Wendy

 
credits: at scrapbookgraphics.com: Silver Lining by Microferk, Blend and Layer templates 3-6 by Rosey Posey, Magic Castle Template by Wendyzine
font: Zapf Chancery LT

December Scrapbook Pages and a Sewing Project

December was a busy month, but then it usually is. Band fundraisers, end of semester concerts, dance shows at nursing homes, parties…. it was all fun, but I’m usually glad to see the end of the holiday season arrive. I didn’t get around to cards this year- maybe in the new year? maybe not though. Robotics season  for 2013 begins this coming weekend and the first dance competition is only a few weeks away too. Here’s a pic of the kids Christmas Eve to wish you all a belated Merry Christmas!

  journaling: This was our first year helping with the band fundraising breakfast. I have to say that it was lots of work, and fun too. I was very impressed with how much was planned and how everyone, parents and students both, worked together to make it go smoothly and successfully. More importantly than the amount of money that was made was the fact that the families that attended had a good time and many said that they would be back next year.
credits: October Foundations by Crystal Livesay; Holiday Hoopla Collab at MyScrapbookArt; Stringbats 3 by Kim Jensen at The-LilyPad.com; Light It Up White by Gina Miller at The-LilyPad.com

  credits: Studio Mix #36- Miracle and Magic by The Studio Girls at scrapbookgraphics.com; font: Brush Script Std

journaling: We had an “official” White Christmas in Colorado Springs this year. For the weather service to declare it as an official event, there had to be at least an inch of new snow on the ground by 6AM on Christmas morning. The gentle snowfall began about 6 o’clock on Christmas Eve during the church service and continued through the night. By Christmas morning we had 1.5” of snow on the ground, and the first White Christmas since 1987. It continued to snow off and on all during Christmas day- not enough to make driving around town hard, but it was just enough to give the day a little extra magical sparkle and make us appreciate being able to stay inside next to the warm and cozy fireplace with family.
credits: Studio Mix 37: Puttin on the Glitz by The Studio Girls at scrapbookgraphics.com; font: Echelon

credits: at The-LilyPad.com: Michelle Godin- Christmas Canvas, Snarky Snippets: Winter, Keep Calm Splatter On; Jenn Barrette- Wild Child Mixed Bag; Jacque Larsen- Santa's Helpers; Valorie Wibbens- Stitching Christmas; Gina Cabrera at DigitalDesignEssentials- Holiday Cheer, Holiday Charm; Snow Layer Style by Wendyzine at scrapbookgraphics.com

credits: by Michelle Godin at The-LilyPad.com: Angelica- Art Journal Mini, Heavenly Papers and Heavenly Elements 

   
journaling: Brenna and her friends Alice and Brieyelle are doing a ballet trio together this year to the song “Glow” inspired by the Disney movie Tangled. Though we aren’t using the version with words, it talks about letting the princess in you shine.
credits: Whispers and Summer Nights alpha by Microferk at scrapbookgraphics.com; In Good Company template by Crystal Livesay at Pixels & Company; font: CK Becky

 
journaling: Unfortunately, the girls’ friends at school don’t always understand why they spend so much time at dance. It’s hard to say no to things they would like to do because they have dance class at that particular time. We’ve tried to help foster the friendship between Alice, Brenna and Brieyelle this year by arranging play dates for them outside of the dance studio. Usually they happen after they are done with their trio rehearsal on Saturday afternoons. The three of them enjoy having some unstructured play time together where they can relax and be themselves with friends who enjoy the same things, which makes for much happier girls all week.
credits: at scrapbookgraphics.com: Whispers and Summer Nights Alpha by Microferk, Blended Template 6 by Rosey Posey; Grow with Love Letters: July by Crystal Livesay and Sara Gleason at The-LilyPad.com; Found by Studio 68 at Oscraps.com; Stash Builder Scallops Trim by Megan Turnidge (blog freebie); Adding Light tutorial by Christine Smith
font: CK Becky

 
journaling: Bryce received the gift of Angry Birds in many forms this Christmas- pajama pants (2 pairs), a DS cartridge with 3 different video game versions, and Santa left a ‘real world’ version of the game for him to play with the family. He and the girls had fun building piggie forts on the table and flinging birds at them to try and knock them down. It’s harder than it looks... I think they need more practice!
credits: Ruffled Feathers by Traci Reed and Meg Mullens at SweetShoppeDesigns;  Grow with Love Letters: October by Crystal Livesay and Sara Gleason; at The-LilyPad.com: Angelica (clouds) by Michelle Godin, Sunny Santa (Santa hat) by Kate Hadfield; Christmas 2009 by Jacque Larsen (blog freebie)
font: Feast of Flesh, CK Constitution

I didn’t do a whole lot scrapping during the month of November, as I was working on a sewing project for one of the tap groups at our dance studio. They couldn’t find blue wizard robes like they wanted anywhere- either in the dance costume catalogs or in Halloween costume catalogs- so I was asked to sew them.

 

Between finding the needed materials, altering the pattern just a bit, cutting out all of the pieces for 2 different sizes and actually sewing the robes and hats, I know now just why dance costumes cost so much- the materials aren’t cheap even when you can find a good price, and it takes more time than you realize. Hemming yards and yards of fabric neatly, detail stitching in decorative thread, and hand-sewing on over 11 yards of marabou feather trim all takes a lot more time I thought it would. Now some of that time was because of my space limitations, cutting the fabric in the middle of the kitchen floor isn’t exactly ideal, and having to get all of the supplies out and put away every day takes time too. It was fun to work with something tangible for a change again though, and I have to say that seeing the girls dance in them is pretty neat too! (No, none of my girls are in this group this year, I’m just a sucker for a pleading request from Ms. Cindy to help her out LOL). Now I just have to get all of my own kids’ competition costumes that have come in altered!

November Scrapbook Pages

Definitely a wintery feel to a lot of the pages this month. the photos are all from last year so far, but snow is coming to CO this weekend.

The end of October usually marks the end of our short autumn season. The first snow hit before the leaves had finished falling in 2011.

 
credits: A Blustery Day by Michelle Godin- part of the November 2012 Daily Digi Pack, Warp It Action by Wendyzine, Flergs Glitter Style, Let It Snow brush;
font: CK Becky

  journaling: It’s one of my favorite winter events- waking up to finding the world covered with beautiful frost. It lasts a few hours before the temperature rises enough to melt it off. Until then, the world is a winter wonderland!
credits: Winter Wishes by TLP designers at The-LilyPad.com; April Foundations by Crystal Livesay at DesignHouseDigital.com; glitter style by Flergs; font: CK Becky

journaling: Whenever we get a big snow fall, Brenna and Sarah want to go sledding. Yes, they enjoy the sledding most of the time, but their little bodies just don’t last long in the bitter cold that comes along with the snow in Colorado. After walking to the hill we sled on and going down only a handful of times, they are done and ready to head home. I think they enjoy the warm cups of hot chocolate after we get home as much as the thrill of riding a sled down a snowy slope. It’s part of having fun in the winter snow.
credits: at The-LilyPad.com: Winter Wishes by TLP designers, Snarky Snippets - BYOC November 2012 by Michelle Godin, Ice Ice Baby Cool by Amy Wolff; April Foundations by Crystal Livesay at DesignHouseDigital.com; Blended Template 21 by Rosey Posey at scrapbookgraphics.com; font: custom font by Darcy Baldwin

  journaling: The first time Brenna put on a pair of dance shoes, she had found her love. While she enjoys tap and jazz a lot, ballet is her love. She is dreaming of dancing en pointe one day and working hard towards that goal. I see many years of ballet shoes and tutus to come.
credits: Studio Mix 33- Melange by The Studio Girls at scrapbookgraphics.com- Kit, Stacked Papers, Add-on, Wordart; font: Vintage Typewriter

  journaling: Our three elves, Holly, Star and Chris, decided that we weren’t getting the Christmas decorations out fast enough this year so they decided to help. We found them the morning of December 2 in the guest bath putting the finishing touches on the mini porcelain tree. Chris got himself stuck in the box checking to make sure they had found all of the pieces.
credits: at The-LilyPad.com: A Christmas Tradition by Valorie Wibbens and Jenn Barrrette, Christmas It! and Stringbats 2 by Kim Jensen, Grow with Love Letters - April by Crystal Livesay and Sara Gleason; Stick It Dates by Darcy Baldwin; Brush strokes by Michelle Coleman; font: SP Wonderful Wendy

 
We keep in touch with one of Mark's co-workers from his first job in Germany. He lives in France now that he is retired and is restoring and remodeling an old farm house in the French countryside. credits: Studio Mix 34- Old Man Winter and Studio Mix 34- Old Man Winter Add-on by The Studio Girls at scrapbookgraphics.com; font: SP Toby Unleashed

journaling: things I’m thankful for: *A husband who works hard to provide for our family. *5 healthy kids who are growing up to be smart and wonderful people. *A warm and secure roof over our heads. *The time and resources to be able to do the things we love. *Friends, both near and far, that fill my days with joy. *New ways every day that I can express my creativity in music and art.
credits: So Thankful by Crystal Livesay; at The-LilyPad.com: Kim Jensen- Bloomin' Twisted, Torn Kraft and Chipboard Alphabet Soup, Jenn Barrette- Wild Child patterns and Wild Child Mixed Bag, Amy Martin- Mended Frames 2; at Scrapbookgraphics.com- Everyone Has a Story Elements by Creative Visions, Paperworn Art Styles by Tangie Baxter
font: CK Becky

November’s tutorials at Michelle Godin’s blog go in a more art journal technique direction. There’s a tutorial on layer blending modes and how to use them to build your own unique ‘art-journaly’ backgrounds for pages and projects. There’s also a bit on how to do custom shape embossing tossed in for good measure ;) I would love to have this tag be real so I could touch and feel it. There are times that I miss playing with real paper still.

October Scrapbook Pages

 
journaling: My love affair with coffee started in graduate school. It was needed to help me wake up and focus in the mornings after staying up late in the lab or working on the house. Now I use it to wake up in the mornings after getting the kids off to school. I’ve never been one to drink it black, give me cream and sugar, please. Starbucks lattes are even better, but are a fairly rare treat because of their cost. Pumpkin Spice and Peppermint Mocha are fall and winter favorites that I can drink all year round.
credits: at The-LilyPad.com: Kim Jensen- Torn Kraft, Chipboard Alphabet Soup, Bitty Blingy Blooms, Bloomin' Sweet; Jacque Larsen- Wake Me up; Amy Martin- Blanc Stitches, Stitched Love; Grow With Love Letters January by Crystal Livesay at designhousedigital.com; font: custom font by Darcy Baldwin

  journaling: a shirt, a skirt, and a purple pointy hat...
definitely one of the simpler costumes this Halloween, but still oh so cute and bewitching. ~Brenna 10-26-10
credits: Wickedest Witch and Keep Calm Splatter On by Michelle Godin at The-LilyPad.com, glitter style by Flergs
font: custom font by Darcy Baldwin

My galleries didn’t really reflect the amount of scrapping I did last month since I ended up working on a lot of projects that I couldn’t show off right away. Now that they’ve been posted in the places they were made for, I can show them off here too.

credits: DHD Grab Bag by Crystal Livesay and Sara Gleason at TLP; The Witching Hour by TLP designers; Studio Mix 31- Oogie Boogie by The Studio Girls at scrapbookgraphics.com; font: AJF Mad Hatter, AJC Bread and Butter

journaling: This was the last time I saw Grandpa Walt, as he passed away at the age of 93 on October 19. The years of dementia had made it seem like he left mentally a long time ago, but there would still be occasional glimpses of the once sharp mind that he had. Walt could still say a meaningful prayer whenever asked. MommyPat misses him terribly after all of these years of taking care of him, and I hope that she can now find some time to do the things that she enjoys and fill her empty hours. We will have to write letters to her since we do not live close by.  I’m glad I took that weekend to visit with my mother for MommyPat’s 88th birthday and the senior pageant. Goodbye, Grandpa Walt. We will see you in Heaven again someday.
credits: Big Ideas by One Little Bird at The-LilyPad.com; Grow with Love Letters - May by Crystal Livesay at DesignHouseDigital.com

I made this page and the following art tags as part of a tutorial series I’ve started writing for Michelle Godin’s blog. I started with a tutorial on How to Use Layered Layout Templates and the grouping or clipping mask function.

credits: everything by Michelle Godin at The-LilyPad.com: Design Boosters 1, Chasing Rainbows Mixed Media, Wickedest Witch, Sunshine and Grass Stains, Softly Painted Solids, Sloppy Stencils 2; font: CK Handprint

My second tutorial is about how to do Masking and Misting with Digital Ink- masked ink splatters are definitely one of my favorite types of embellishments at the moment! Michelle made ink splatter brushes that I requested so I can make them in any shape I want.

 

Scrapbookgraphics has started a series of inspiration quote posts in September on Pinterest that I’ve made a few pages for. It’s hard for me to find quotes that speak to me visually, but I’m really pleased with how the ones I’ve done so far have come out.

credits: Danceologie by Studio Ztampf! at scrapbookgraphics.com
font: TXT Sloppy Script, Majestic

 
credits: Finding My Way by Rosey Posey and Birgit Kerr, AJC11 Parcel 42 by Tangie Baxter at scrapbookgraphics.com; font: AJF Mad Hatter

 
credits: Artists' Fairies by Lorie Davison at scrapbookgraphics.com;
font: FO PS I Love You

August Scrapbook Pages

The start of August means the kids go back to school in our district. We’ve got 3 high schoolers and 2 elementary students this year. It’s always busy at house!

  journaling: Lookout Vista Ridge! Elizabeth and Carissa are on the scene and ready to take this new school by storm this year. They switched to a new school to work on pursuing the career paths they are interested in, leaving many of their good friends behind. Of course they will see them from time to time, and Facebook chats are only a monitor away. Elizabeth and Carissa are looking forward to the challenges ahead and making new friends along the way too.
credits: by Michelle Godin at The-LilyPad.com: Hello Goodbye Papers
and Hello Goodbye Elements
font: Horse Puke, Chromosome Heavy, custom font by Darcy Baldwin

  journaling: The second half of your 8th grade school year you both got quite a bit of grief from classmates about choosing a different school to attend for high school the next year. You didn’t let it bother you though because you knew what you wanted to do and this was the best place to go to achieve those goals, as well as being feasible transportation-wise. I’m proud of you for not letting other people’s choices influence you. I know you will both do well this year!
Pictures taken at Freshman year registration. July 24, 2012
credits: School Zone Plus Bundle by Kim Jensen at The-LilyPad.com; August 2012 Foundations by Crystal Livesay at LiveYourStories.com

  credits: Cerise Noir Collection by Flergs at scrapbookgraphics.com; August Foundations 2012 by Crystal Livesay at liveyourstories.com; font: Zapf Chancery LT credits: Cerise Noir Collection by Flergs at scrapbookgraphics.com; August Foundations 2012 by Crystal Livesay at liveyourstories.com; font: Century Gothic

  credits: Studio Mix 28- Enduring Grace and Studio Mix 28- Enduring Grace Word Art by The Studio Girls at scrapbookgraphics.com; August Foundations 2012 by Crystal Livesay at liveyourstories.com; font: FO PS I Love You

  credits: Hold on to Happy by Crystal Livesay at DesignHouseDigital.com; Kitschy Kitchen Collection by Sahlin Studio and Jenn Barrette at The-LilyPad.com; The Notebooks, School Zone Elements by Kim Jensen at The-LilyPad.com; Studio Mix 28- Enduring Grace by The Studio Girls (doily) at scrapbookgraphics.com; Stick It Dates by Darcy Baldwin; font: Lobster, custom font by Darcy Baldwin

  journaling: The Waldo Canyon Fire consumed the hills west of Colorado Springs from June 23 to July 10, 2012 and was the most destructive fire in Colorado history. We had a front seat to all of the action with almost 24 hour coverage of the fire on our local news stations, and seeing and breathing the smoke. By the time the fire was put out 17 days after it began, it destroyed 346 homes, killed 2 people, evacuated 32,000 people, and caused $352.6 million dollars in damages, not to mention lost business revenue. As much as we heard about the fire’s destruction, we also saw firsthand the heroic efforts of the thousands of fire fighting personnel that were protecting our community. They worked long shifts, stopping only to eat and sleep right where they were so they could respond quickly if needed again. Thanks to their amazing efforts, the damage was kept to so much less than it could have been.
credits: at The-LilyPad.com: Eclectomania 1 and Recycled Newspaper Alpha by Kim Jensen, To The Rescue and Community Helpers by Jacque Larsen, Mini Dots Alpha by Amy Martin; template by Scrapping With Liz; photos were collected from public postings on Facebook; font: Georgia

  journaling: Beth and Carissa were thrilled when Iyanno asked them to work with her to choreograph and video a dance for the Disney Channel Make Your Mark dance contest this summer. They spent a couple of weeks working on things seperately because they couldn’t find a time to all get together. Iyanno was able to stay a few hours after the twins’ birthday party ended so they could have some time work together, and they were able to finish working things out. We recorded the video the next week during some open time at the dance studio, and it was submitted to the contest. We don’t really expect anything more to come of it, and that’s OK. It was a fun project doing something they all enjoy and a way to spend some extra time together exploring their talents and abilities. They were willing to take a risk and give it a shot, and I’m sure they will all find a way to make their mark on the world eventually.

credits: at The-LilyPad.com: by Michelle Godin- Moody Blues Papers, Moody Blues Elements Sew Artsty Just the Stitches, Keep Calm Splatter On; by Kim Jensen- Perforated Paper Alpha, Bloomin' Octagonal, Bloomin' Baubles, Pinned Purple Paper Dates; Enjoy the Moment (silver wire swirl) by Sahlin Studio; Story Maps Vol. 1 by Crystal Livesay at DesignHouseDigital.com; glitter style by Flergs
font: Ticket Capitals Impressed, custom font by Darcy Baldwin

  journaling: It almost snuck by me this year, but a friend mentioned it in passing in an email that afternoon- it was July 11th and that meant that it was free Slurpee day at 7-Elevens across the country. With it being summer, our more relaxed schedule allowed us to all jump in the van and make a quick trip down the hill to try out a few new chilly flavors to help beat the heat.
credits: TLP Summer Bucket List minis by Allison Pennington, Karah Fredricks, Kate Hadfield, Michelle Godin, Lauren Grier, Sahlin Studio, Emily Merritt, Little Butterfly Wings, Kim Jensen, Amber Clegg, Tickled Pink Studio, Kay Winiecki; Blanc Stitches by Amy Martin; Stamped Hex Templates by Crystal Livesay at DesignHouseDigital.com; font: custom font by Darcy Baldwin