Keeping Calm & Carrying On

Father's Day Recap: 2012

I know I shared a couple photos on Facebook, but there's more ;)

After church we swung by Mom & Dad's new house for hugs and "Happy Fathers Days".

Snagged a couple pics of us since we were dressed up.

This is a classic. He is already so tired of taking pictures.....I have absolutely no idea how he's going to get through our wedding day :) 

Overall Father's Day was pretty mellow this year because Angela & the kids were on vacation in DisneyWorld--so we got together at Nicky & Kurt's for a BBQ and swimming since it was so, so hot! We ran home quick to change and took a "father's Day pic" of Mio and his pops!

Then I headed over to Nicky's where we gave dad his gift-a remote control boat for him to take up to his lakehouse. He put it together and tested it out in the swimming pool.

It's funny how grown men turn quickly into little boys when they have a remote control in hand.

We probably would have never thought of this idea, so we were happy when dad suggested it a week or so before Father's Day.

I, personally, was a bit disappointed in the small size of that boat after it the large price tag and the large box it came in---but Dad was happy. And that's what's important, right?!

We emjoyed some refreshing pool time, great food and got a sun-tan too! Then I headed over to Steven's parents house to meet him and visit this little lady, Lauren.

Dan celebrated his second Father's Day this year....

more good food, family time and sun and the day was just about done.

Smokovich?

Pronoucned

smoke * ugh * vich

Today I'm addressing this CONSTANT question I've been asked over and over again since getting engaged. The questions come from industry friends and colleagues, designers, and scrapbooking friends including Bella Blvd fans.

"Are you going to change your last name?"

It might take people a bit of time to learn the change, but I think it's important. I mean, who wouldn't want to be a Smokovich when you take a look at this handsome family of go-getters!

The answer is easy:

Y E S .

I want to. It's that easy. It honestly never crossed my mind not to change it. The question is mostly asked because the industry now acknowledges my designs by Stephanie Hunt, including fabric with Riley Blake, Rubber stamps with Unity and the signature Bella Blvd brand.

Truth is: Change is Good.

,

as in soon-to-be Stephanie Smokovich!

So Cute, Right?

It's hard to explain how Steven's face lights up when he sees Baby Lauren, his first neice on his side of the family. This last weekend we got to spend a few hours with her. At this point she was ready for a nap and so snuggly with Stevie on the couch. 

Those beautiful eyes. I just love them!

Birthday Baby: Lauren

Today is Baby Lauren's first birthday! One year ago it was Easter Sunday and my first neice on the Smokovich side of the family was born. Just this past weekend we celebrated at her bowling party!

She was all dolled up: beads, tierra, sash and all! Lookin' super cute!

She bowled with all the big kids,

clapped when she kocked down pins,

and cracked us all up with those dimples and little baby teeth!

Check out that cute Barbie cake!

Mommy and cousins helped her open gift after gift, toy after toy!

Happy birthday sweet baby LuLu!

St. Patty's Confessions & Cuties

St. Patty's Confession No. 1: I am not a beer drinker.

Never have been, never will be. It's very bubbly and makes me feel full...which I do not like. So on days like St. 

St. Patty's Confession No. 2: I (almost) hate the color green.

Hate is a very strong word, so I prefer not to use it. But seriously if one could hate a color---for me it's green. You won't find nearly a single piece of green clothing in my closet. None. I know it's weird. It's nothing I've pre-meditated or planned, but rather just happened.

St. Patty's Confession No. 3: I don't have a lick of Irish in me. Sono Italiana. ;)

So on days like St. Patty's Day, what does a girl like me have going on? Family, BBQ & NCAA basketball. I invited the kiddos to sleepover on March 17^th and we picked up baby Lauren for a couple hours too. Who could have guessed she would be all dolled up and super cute in green?!

Being the proud Godmother & Auntie that I am I couldn't resist some fun St. Patty's Day photos.

At 11 months she's got two little chick-let teeth on her bottom gum line and one big-honker breaking through up top.

And Carson just can't seem to get enough of her. He loves on her non-stop, talks to her, snuggles and plays!

Baby Lauren loves it! She laughs at him and lets him feed her her "num-nums".

So cute. For real. Just cheers me  up and makes me happy. 

Happy belated St. Patty's Day everyone! Hope you've recovered by now ;)

Bella Blvd Layouts: New Products Shipping!

Have you seen these 2 layouts I created shared last week over at the Bella Blvd Blog?

The new Bella Blvd products arrived in the warehouse early and are beginning to ship to retailers, online stores and distributors all around the world this week! This layout features everything in the new Sunshine & Happiness collection.

The Cute Cuts paper makes it easy to create small "scenes" on a projects like the cloud and sun sky "theme" here. The title worked perfectly in the empty/negative space within the enlarged photo (developed at mpix.com).

Plenty of snips and cuts later I had created several pennants, mostly from the Borders paper.

This Layout was featuring just the other day too! I created it for CHA. My nephew nearly 4 years ago when he was still a little chubster!

For more Sunshine & Happiness Ideas visit Bella's collection Gallery by Clicking Here.

The Designer Tapes and Button Market are all shipping now!

For more Baby Boy Ideas visit Bella's collection Gallery by Clicking Here.

Beautiful Girl: A Bella Blvd Layout

It's definitely no secret that my newest Bella Blvd collections will begin shipping this week! I couldn't be more thrilled seeing that this is my biggest product release E-V-E-R!

My newest Baby collections were inspired quite honestly by my new(ish) niece, Baby Lauren. I've shared portraits of her here that I've taken and plan to design a baby album for her upcoming first birthday very soon! I couldn't wait to play with the Baby Girl papers and coordinates as soon as the samples arrived a few months ago!

pink. pink. pink. It just makes me so happy and giddy! I could finally get away with having so much pink in a collection because it was designed for Baby Girl! woot woot!

The little monkey icons pop-up all over the Baby Boy and Baby girl collections...and the new Button Market buttons mix and match with this line too! They are so shiny and pretty!

Playing with alphabets is always one of my favorite things. I stitched on my chipboard letters from these Baby Girl chip icons:

and added some of the new High Fives alpha stickers to complete the title!

I stitched the flags also....

This layout makes me happy. So sad that she's getting so big already! Where does the time go?

Guess What?!?

Baby Portraits: Lauren @ 6 Mo.

She might be the cutest, prettiest, happiest baby I know.

(And curious too!)

At the end of October she turned 6 months and what kind of proud Godmother would I be if I didn't share all the photos I shot of her?! I've talked here recently about my thoughts on freelance photography and how I wish I had so much more time for it (see this post). Truth is, I absolutely love it and find it so rewarding when the images are done and even more so after they're printed! 

It doesn't matter if her hair is still whispy and thin ecause with eyes that beautiful, who even notices?! Plus she rocks hats and headbands every time I see her!

This one below is my most favorite! She wasn't in a super smiley mood the day we took her photos...but it didn't matter much to me because I love capturing WHO she is RIGHT NOW. Pretty soon she'll be getting her first teeth, which explains the constant fist in the mouth and drooling!

All these photos were taken at Baby Lauren't house in the kitchen using the natural light coming in from the windows. The most important thing to remember when photographing little ones is to be patient. They might need a break, or several at that, and you can't rush the perfect smile.

Baby Lauren will be one years old at the end of April. I've promised to put together her first year in a scrapbook, as I have done for my other neices and nephew. I can't wait to start printing these photos and get going on that next big project ;)

 

Happy Halloween

Nothing scary for you today. Only cuteness. Look who's six months old!

Little miss LoLo, baby Lauren, big eyes---that's what I call her anyways. Took some photos of her over the weekend! Hope your day is full of plenty of treats!

Visit Bella's facebook page for a *free* Halloween "treat"/giveaway today!

 

Double Page Layout: Camping

It's becoming something "we do" more often.

There are plenty of layered embellishments on this layout including product from so many different manufacturers (Bella Blvd, Jillibean Soup, Crate Paper, October Afternoon, Basic Grey, etc.). 

You're reading a blog of a girl that NEVER reads BOOKS. No, I'm not proud of that, but it is a fact. I rarely sit down with a book. I'd much rather relax with a magazine with lots of pictures and less text ;) I've always been that way!

The reason for my confession today is this layout documents this "golden" weekend last year (September 2010) that I was able to sit down for literally an entire weekend and read a book, The Help, while enjoying wine and the great outdoors! 

Left Page:Coordinating Right Side:

I printed my journaling onto cardstock and scattered it throughout the layout by using my corner round to create office-style tabs to label the photos. 

I split the large pine-tree sticker between the center of the layout, onto both pages. The branches resemble arrows which help make your eyes move and look in the directions the branches are pointing. 

 

Labor Day Weekend: Family Camping

It takes exactly 45 minutes to get there...which I LOVE! 

I wouldn't really say we "rough it" when we camp, seeing that we have a full kitchen, bathroom and AC if we need it, but we definitely endure lots of creepy crawlies and rain sometimes too.

(Angela & Anabelle)

Camping are some of my favorite memories growing up, and I'm glad we still go-for Ang's kids especially.

Because it wasn't warm  enough to swim this weekend like we had hoped we spent our time keeping busy. We rented these banana bikes (so fun)!

(Carson & Steven)

Just putzed around....

Played cards by the pond while the kids swam.

Several golf cart rides.

We played a lot of cards, Emily's Game to be exact. 

Played with fire.....

and with Baby Mio too! How was your Labor Day weekend? What did you do, take any photos?

PS-I'm over the moon E.X.C.I.T.E.D to be driving here (Lambeau Field in Green Bay, duh!) this afternoon for the NFL kick-off season, Packers vs. Saints! It's going to be awesome!!!

 

Mother's Day Weekend

I spent the day on Sunday with Steven's family. We invited everyone over for lunch.(Mrs. Smokey and her boys)

I love playing hostess, it really is one of my favorite things. It will be a lot easier once Steven and I are married (hint hint) and living in the same house. But for now it's back-and-forth, back-and-forth! The tulips in Steven's front yard are gorgeous! I cut a bunch and created a centerpiece!

 

It was really nice to have the baby over too! ;) There's 3 moms now: Mrs. Smokey, Grandma and Sarah too! Little baby Lauren was exactly 2 weeks old on Sunday. She's so stinkin' cute I just can't stand it!

I'm so happy for Sarah, this being her very first Mother's Day. I hope being a mommy is as wonderful and fulfilling as everyone says. She and Dan are going to do great, I just know it!

I can't wait until Dan & Sarah are ready to go out without her, so Steven and I can babysit. She's such a good baby!

(Tracy, Sarah, Baby Lo Lo, Mrs. Smokey, Grandma, Me)

It's pretty unusual for my family to not get together on day's like Mother's Day, but everyone was doing their own thing. My mom and dad were up at the Lakehouse and so we all called her to wish her a Happy Mother's Day but didn't celebrate together. Angela and the kids stopped by Steven's to eat Mother's Day Cake (and sing a Happy Belated Birthday to Dan too) and visit, and then were off to Nana's.

Please no More Misquitos

Steven and I are headed up north (okay okay, it's only an hour north, but it's a get-away nonetheless!) for a couple days this weekend. Please pray that the moquitos don't attack me like they did our last visit!

Steven's parents have some great land right on the river. It's beautiful and so peaceful. (This were pictures from last time we went up.) 

 

Steven does a bit of fishing, and I actually read a book last time! Imagine that! His mom is a doll and takes such great care of us while we visit, great meals, great camper with air conditioning....

And this weekend my sister and the kiddos are camping at the same place. So it should be fun!!