Keeping Calm & Carrying On

Joy*Merry*Love: A Bella Blvd Layout

Just like old times I was able to design for the CHA booth display this time around :) There was a couple shows in a row there that I wasn't able to squeeze in enough time to create any samples. 

Today at the Bella Blvd Studio Blog one of my layouts is up featuring my brand new Christmas Countdown line. I was going for the "simple is better" idea here, featuring my favorite photo of my niece Lauren from last Christmas when she opened her St. Nick stocking from Uncle Steve and I! That little face just said it all...and I happened to put her right in front of the Christmas tree all lit up making a great backdrop!

The green arrow stickers are from the new Daily Chevies & Everyday Bits line, that mix and match really well with most of my other collections. My journaling is printed and spliced up because I was trying to still make the photograph the biggest element on the layout, even thought it's only a wallet size 2.5x3.5".

There's more detail shots, a full supply list and more info about this layout over at the Bella Blog today!

Want more Christmas Countdown ideas? Click here for the Christmas Countdown Gallery! These new collections are just beginning to hit your favorite local and online stores today...keep an eye out for it while it's hot! hot! hot!

July 4: An All American Layout

This week it's Independence Week over at Bella Blvd. Have you seen all the amazing layouts, cards and altered projects that the DT has been showcasing?! There's still more to come each day this week so be sure to stop by! Today I have this layout up on the blog.

The photos are from July 2011, of our annual holiday tradition---parade in the morning, corn roast to follow and a day on the lake (weather pending). Hopefully tomorrow it will be sunny :) I'm looking forward to seeing the entire family. Since the honeymoon we haven't gotten to see everyone :) Feels like forever.

This layout is a quick and easy one, only using 2 sheets of paper + 1 sheet of cardstock + sticker sheet + some Stick Pin Flags from my most recent All American collection!

For more All American Ideas visit the Bella Blvd Studio Blog this week, or the All American Idea Gallery here.

Pre-IU Workshop #4: Reasons to Relax Layouts

 Welcome back to my fourth & final post of the day featuring my only 12x12" Layout workshops for Pre-IU 2013.  Remember, all these classes are now officially on sale. Class size is limited, and kit pick-up & mail option is also limited. Thank you to Ginger & Teresa for inviting me to be a part of this year's event! Last year I had a blast meeting all the attendees and I'm honored to be a part of IU again this year. 

Reasons To Relax Layout Workshop $27.50

Click Here if you'd like to Attend the Reasons to Relax Layout Workshop.

Click Here if you'd like to pick-up or have a Reasons to Relax Layouts Kit Mailed to You.

Want to scrap a bunch of summer photos at the pool, the park or on the beach?!  These layouts are exactly what my style and Bella Blvd is all about---color, color, color! With layout titles like, "This Place Makes Me So Happy!" and "On a Sunny Afternoon" your options are endless to use photos that document great times in the sun! 

Tear your papers and Washi Tapes to create poolside pages. We'll layer, ink and cut up shapes!

 

The official Workshop Description Reads: It seems like the days are filled with things to do, places to be and chores to complete that everyday routine becomes very mundane. So why not treat yourself to a day in the sun, a small vacation and some relaxation! After all, a little daylight rejuvenates and colors our world! We will create four 12x12" pages inspired by making the most of a packaged Collection Kit, color blocking and project life too! Get your hands on some great new products including Bella Blvd's Sand & Surf collection, buttons and Crochet Hearts too!

Well, there you have it, sneak peeks to all four of my new Pre-IU workshops. Remember kits are available to mail or pick-up, no matter where you live! Quantities are already set and limited, so if you love what you see, visit Down to Details>Pre-IU Today!

 If you have any additional questions, feel free to leave in the comments below, or email me!

Happy NSD & Happy Birthday Dad!

What better way to celebrate both National Scrapbook Day and my Dad's 58^th birthday right here on the blog than with a 12x12" scrapbook layout all about my dad!?

This layout is from Father's Day 2011...and I thought quite appropriate for today. It's not too often anymore that I venture outside of my Bella Blvd stash. I have so much product Bella and non-Bella that's quite surprising...but I just love the mixture here of wood grain and flowers!

Of course I couldn't help but add a little Bella with these Stick Pin Flags!

Oh...and these navy blue chipboard letters....

and, uh the buttons too! LOL, I can't resist! He honestly is the best dad a girl could ask there. The hearts added to the layout remind me of that. I can't wait to hear his speech at my wedding and for him to walk me down the aisle. I am the last of his girls to marry off, so I know it will be extremely sentimental for both of us! If you're ready today Dad, I love you!

Are you doing any scrapbooking today? Gosh I know of so many crops and so many on-line celebrations happening, all honoring our industry of creative documentors like you and I! Get in on the fun over at Bella Blvd as we are featuring new layouts on the hour, every hour, plus 2 giveaways as well! Don't miss out! Plus the Warehouse Box Sale is still underway! Buy A Box here!

Oh, and Scrapbook & Cards Today magazine will be hosting a Bella Blvd giveaway later today too!

Focus on Feathers & Crochet Hearts

Happy Tuesday everyone! I'm officially recovered from the Brewer Bachelorette part & tailgate that my beautiful sisters arranged for me! Great times and can't wait to share more pictures with you right here tomorrow! In the meantime, how about another layout with my favorite recent embellishment....Feathers!

Mixing my Baby Boy products with the Feathers and Crochet Hearts was easy peasy. Since the photograph is black and white the feathers appear even softer framing the photo.

I tried to make the date subtle by using only white stickers so that they would blend in best with the photograph and layout as a whole.

Loving all these textures. What do you think?!

For more Ideas featuring Bella Blvd's Feathers click here.

For more Ideas featuring the Baby Boy Collection click here.

For more Ideas featuring Bella Blvd's Crochet Hearts click here.

Scrapping with Memorabilia

Keeping papers, artifacts and souvenirs are always fun, but sometimes challenging. Today's layout is quick & simple, showing you an easy way to scrap with important documents :)

Last week I shared a layout from my cousin's baptism (remember using up all the buttons? See it here.)  The companion page in my album is the one I'm showing you today:

I chose only 3 more of my favorite pictures: mommy & daddy with the little guy, brand new grandma, and then me and Lucas :) By narrowing down the photo selection I was able to leave a large amount of room for the church bulletin from the special occasion.  And by keeping the color palette neutral, the bulletin doesn't get long on the layout.

The square photo of Lucas and I in the center of the page actual hangs of the edge of the bulletin. That overlap doesn't have any adhesive under it, creating a flap to turner and open the bulletin. This way we can see the entire order of service.

I kept my embellishing to a minimum, just adding a couple monochromatic buttons here and there, creating some dimension.

Don't forget to save important things like bulletins, tickets, and more. Years from now, you'll be glad that you did!

For my Entire Life Journaling Starter: Peaceful Place Layout

It's not secret that my Nana & Nano are very dear pieces of our family puzzle. We (our family) have recently discovered some heart problems that my Nano is coping with. He is going to be okay, but there are have several visits to the hospital & doctors this year already. It makes me realize how healthy they both are, that we rarely (knock on wood) take them for any kind of treatments besides annual check-ups. Seeing that I've spent so much time with Nano lately, I thought I'd create a page just about him.

I took this photo with my camera and printed it with my Postal Pix app. This is my nano. Totally him. Everything about this photo explains his life, his hobby and his work ethic: his sun-kissed skin reflect hours and hours of yard-work outside, the perfectly bright green grass, the handmade clothesline suspended over his head from tree to home, the wind-chime you can hear all summer long from his backyard, and the relaxing spot in the shade....right in the middle of his backyard. This is my nano. :)

I mixed and match plenty of Bella Blvd patterns here (Baby Boy blue hearts, Plastino multi-stripe, Winter Wonder yellow chevron and fussy-cut flowers from the Family Dynamix collection). The flowers cascading along the layout reflect the journaling about my Nano and his garden, his peaceful place. Everyone finds solace somewhere, and for him it's in his hands, his work and the love he puts into his backyard garden year after year.

I hand-wrote the journaling and wrapped it around the chipboard & sticker title. To prompt my journaling I used the redundant sentence starter "For my entire life...." and then continued to complete the sentence....over and over again. Give it a try if you need a prompt!

If you're interested in the journaling it reads, "For my entire life I have always known Nano to have his own garden.  For my entire life I have observed nano sit in a chair in the middle of (someone's) yard, just enjoying the peacefulness that is freshly cut grass, birds singing, family enjoying conversation somewhere close...and the sunlight.  For my entire life I have seen Nano trim the grass edges with a pair of scissors.  For my entire life I've seen Nano tend to the yard-work in a pair of old jeans and a worn Haynes sleeveless tank.  For my entire life this man has enjoyed the independence of his hobbies including flowers, yard-work, landscaping & grilling outside. My entire life.....and his too!"

Surfer Girls: Focus on Bella Blvd Feathers

Believe it or not I've been doing some scrapbooking lately. Between the wedding mess and the scrapbooking mess at home it pretty much all blends together :) The Feathers are one of my favorite products to play with. 

I know the simple scrapbooker and more basic stylist might be afraid of these fluffy Feathers, but they really are great, adding so much texture for not all the bulk!

And don't think you have to have a specific theme to use the Feathers for....with all the super bright colors, you can play with them on any project. This layout is from a family vacation to Myrtle Beach in 2011.

This layout includes plenty of embellishments from Bella Blvd including Feathers, buttons, stickers, and Crochet Hearts too :)

Visit Bella's Feather Gallery for more Feather Ideas.

Go & Make Disciples: A Baptism Layout

Today I have a great idea for you to use up your button stash. This kaleidoscope style patterned paper is from Crate Paper. I thought the rays of color looked a "heavenly", similar to what we see in the sky on a perfectly sunny day. Here's the completed layout.

I used monochramatic button colors to fill in the "rays or beams" with the coordinating paper color. The buttons are different shapes and sizes, and from different manufacturers, but all within my large button stash.

Next I did the same with tiny sticker alphabets to include the bible passage about baptism. I think it's great and makes the readers eye read all the way around the layout.

 

If I was really ambitious I'd stitch all those buttons....but well, not this time! In smaller spaces I added monochromatic brads as well, to fill it up.

It's quite simple with just the one photo, but has a ton of product. So glad I was able to use so many of my buttons all the while keep the main focus on the photo and the passage.

Embellishment Focus: Bella Blvd Feathers

We all know that Washi Tapes are all the rage right now....and we've seen plenty of ideas around the industry with these awesome paper tapes. But...have you seen Bella Blvd newest Feathers?

The Feathers come in 18 different colors and are hand-dyed to match Bella Blvd's well-known bright color palette. They are soft, beautiful, fluffy and have so much texture without all the bulk.

Another HUGE trend in the scrapbooking industry right now is texture.  We see it daily in fashion with lace and crochet, buttons and details. So...why not add a Feather to your next layout?!

Although they may appear to be tricky to adhere....this is an example of simply tucking the feathers behind a cluster of embellishments or even a photograph. Under there is where you can stash a some adhesive to fasten the feather(s) in place :)

You can see the Feather colors are bright! I stuck strips of Designer Washi Tapes to white cardstock, making them opaque and then trimmed the strips and created my own backdrop underneath the photos. It's a bit more time consuming, but definitely worth it!

"x2" reflects the photos on the layout---two different sets of Hunt families (my two different Uncles). I just love me a little splash of rich black against a colorful backdrop.

Interested in some of Bella Blvd's Feathers?! Buy them online here at 2Peas!

For More Feather Ideas Click Here.  For More Designer Tape Ideas Click Here.

Any Minute: A Bella Blvd Layout

Slowly but surely I am plugging away at both my personal album pages of Baby Lauren's (new God Daughter) Arrival, and also her first year baby book. Instead of making duplicate pages (I get bored with the redundancy) I create different ones with the same pictures to keep my brain fresh!

This the layout I created for my album with pictures, just moments before Lauren was born. I loved the black and white and think they tell so much about the anticipation in the hospital room.

I combined the We're Expecting products with some Sophisticates patterns, alphabet stickers (High Fives) and Crochet Flowers too.

That stork is one of my favorite little illustrations. Love the curly-q tail.

For more ideas featuring my We're Expecting products, visit the We're Expecting Idea Gallery at the Bella Studio Blog!

Wausau: A Basketball Layout

The entire goal of this layout was to include several photos on one 12x12" page. It seems rare to find that these days as inspiration tends to feature only one enlargement or focus photograph. So I printed all the photos wallet-size and create two vertical "photo strips", adhering them flush above and below one another.

Bella Blvd's Jailbird Designer Tape was the perfect neutral (& referee-like) embellishment. The small strips of tape also helped break-up the pictures a bit, making it easier to look at the entire layout.

I dove into my Bella Blvd Stick Pin Flags and Buttons to add some dimension.

I think that textured paper is meant for football pages...but it works great for basketball too! I'm quickly getting further and further behind on my chronological scrapbooking, as you see this is still from 2011. I have the wedding planning to thank for that, but can't wait for later this year to have a few scrapbooking weekends and get caught up :) Happy Monday!

56: A Birthday Layout

Meet my Dad. His name is Dan. He's been the only man in my life since I was a wee-little baby...without any brothers he has always been there for my sisters and I. 

Now that we're all grown up, it's fun to celebrate his birthday each year :) Here's a fun little fact for you...did you know that my first choice for wedding dates was May 4th? His birthday---& a Saturday this year. Imagine my dismay when the venue was already booked that day ;(

I guess it was meant to be so that he can have his birthday all to himself. For his 56th birthday layout went with a mix of neutrals that you see above.

Random snippets and embellishments here and there include Jillibean Soup flag stickers and little labels, and some MME label stickers too.

The oversized "56" were raw chipboard numbers that I traced and then paper covered.

Just a little bit of Bella Blvd's Designer Tape helped my white stickers to pop off the black and white photo below it.

I'm hoping to do a bit of scrapbooking myself this weekend, along with some other wedding-related projects and crafts. I have so many things to cross of my list......off I go!

Welcome-A Baby Girl Layout

"Baby" Lauren (as we like to call her is almost 2 years old!) but I just can't resist these tiny little baby pictures from April 2011.

This layout features Bella's Baby Girl Collection, some Sophisticates chip alphas (Simona lowercase), and Designer Tapes in addition to Jillibean Soup's Alphabeans stickers (I just love those!) They fit perfectly inside some of Bella's Just Write Journaling Sticker pieces.

This little peanut is Steven's first neice on his side of the family, and will be our flower girl in the wedding! I can't wait for you to see her dress.....it's going to be darling! (We are actually measuring her and ordering the dress this week!)

Hope you're Wednesday is great, and that maybe you get an extra snuggle or two!

xoxo!

When Friends Move Away-A Bella Layout

Have you had any close friends move out of state far away? Do you miss them like I miss "my" Gail?

It's hard to believe that Gail moved almost 2 years ago now, but at the time it feels like I haven't seen her in forever. We used to scrapbook together lots, she always popped in at Bella for our mother/daughter kind of talks and we shared so many secrets.

Recently I created this layout to cheer me up, after reminiscing over these photographs in my picture pile.

Gail is in Atlanta with her hubby, and loving it there....but I miss her! We don't chat on the phone as much as I hoped, but when we do it's always great to hear how she's doing and what new things she's up to!

The layout is a great mix of soft, friendship colors including products from my Plastino and Thankful Collections. 

Plus some Stick Pin Flags and Crochet Flowers.

Scrapbooking is often very therapeutic for me, and this is a perfect example. Even though Gail's so far away making the layout made me smile, and tell stories about her to the people I was with while creating it. Gail---if you're reading this---I miss you....I miss our talks!