SOCIAL MEDIA

Happy Halloween!

10.31.2017

Just sharing photos today...love these kiddos so much! They are such good friends, so very thankful that they each have one another. So important to have someone that you can trust and who knows how to have fun...even at the age of thirteen!


These two are both in love with the Beatles, any old music really and of course fashion from the 60s, 70s and even 80s!


They came up with their clothing ensembles completely on their own (knowing they wanted to go with the 60s theme) and it was a surprise when they saw one another and it's funny how perfectly they go together for not pre-planning or coordinating anything!


This was the first year that Zoey went out "trick-or-treating" on her own, without a parent. I dropped her off with her friend and they went around together, stopping in at another friend's house for a bit.


Afterwards we enjoyed some food and good conversation with some friends and called it a night. Zoey said it was her favorite Halloween ever. I wonder if getting to exercise some newfound independence had something to do with that.


Such a fun Halloween! So glad that she still wanted to dress-up and have fun with friends. That's what it's all about. Always. No matter what your age.

Happy Halloween!

Let's Get Warm & Cozy | Scrapbook Layout

10.30.2017

Continuing to have some fun creating with the November Cocoa Daisy Memory Keeping: 12x12 and Memory Keeping Pocket kits! It's so fun digging into last year's holiday/winter photos and catch up a bit on my albums.


There was a bit of trouble with the Cocoa Daisy site on the night of the November reveal, so be sure to check back...there are some additional items available yet, but to my knowledge, the main kits have sold out. To get your name on a waiting list in case more items become available again be sure to check HERE.

We actually got our first snowfall yesterday here so it's been only fitting that I've started in on my winter/holiday crafting!

XO,


Hello. | Scrapbook Layout

10.29.2017

This was my first layout that I created using the November Memory Keeping and Pocket kits from Cocoa Daisy for the month of November...and I think it's going to be my favorite. Upon seeing the images in the die-cut packets for both kits, I knew right away that I wanted to use these photos of Zoey making bird feeders last winter. Perfection!


I used the hello tag that comes with all of the Cocoa Daisy kits here as an embellishment, actually my title, for this page. I used my handy dandy We R Memory Keepers circle punch to cut it into a circle.


I used the stamps from the pocket kit to create a running border along the top of my patterned paper. I can't tell you the last time that I had my inks out and stamped on a scrapbook page! It was fun.


Love that there are little realistic bird die-cuts in the kits! Both as a chipboard sticker (above, and in the Memory Keeping kit) and as the paper die-cut outs (in both kits). The twigs, pine cones and branches were perfect for these outdoor, winter photos.


I've been on a roll lately with printing my journaling on cardstock and then cutting it apart into strips before adhering it to my pages. Also, in the past when doing design work for manufacturers or design teams for kit clubs I noticed that I didn't journal as much on my layouts. I'm determined to keep up with my journaling because when I look back at my albums...that's just as important as the photos! I want to remember the stories, along with the photos.

Just a FYI regarding the kits, if you think you want to become a subscriber in the future to Cocoa Daisy, it's recommended to sign up right away so you are ensured getting the goodies you want. Usually by the time reveal night rolls around, the kits are sold out quickly.

I can't wait to share more of what I've created using this month's memory keeping kit soon here on the blog as well as on the Cocoa Daisy blog. Until then, happy crafting!


November Kit Favorites from Cocoa Daisy + a Sneak!

10.28.2017

Just popping on quick to share some favorites from Cocoa Daisy's November Memory Keeping: 12x12 kit and the Memory Keeping Pocket kit! I am loving all of the patterned papers (not all are pictured here) and the stickers as well as the die-cuts included in both the Memory Keeping kit AND the Pocket kit. I also love that an entire packet of gold stars were included...can't wait to figure out what to do with those!


Initially, in anticipation of getting my first kit in the mail to play with I had printed off a whole bunch of photos with a fall theme in mind or Thanksgiving..but I was tickled to see that the kit is more of a winter/winter holiday theme which means I will have a jump on some holiday projects and layouts!

Tonight is the big reveal for this month's kit so be sure to stop in and check out what is shared on the Cocoa Daisy site...it's always a treat to see what's to come! Here is a little sneak of a project that I created using this month's kit...


Hope you have a creative weekend!

XO,


Cocoa Daisy Kits Have Arrived!

10.27.2017

It was a long Friday at work today...and it SNOWED, (which I actually am pretty excited about), and so when I finally got home and discovered that my Cocoa Daisy memory keeping and pocket kit had arrived I was pretty excited. Definitely a bright spot in my day.


All of the elements included in the pocket kit was assembled in this sweet and simple muslin baggie.


Here is a peek at what was inside of the pocket kit.


And a little smattering of what was actually inside.


I can't wait to share some favorites with you from the memory keeping kit soon and of course to get busy creating with all of this goodness!!!



Cocoa Daisy Memory Keeping Team | 2018

10.23.2017
I'm BACK! That's what I'm feeling these days. Woot..woot! Super-duper excited to share that I've been invited to be a member of the memory keeping team for Cocoa Daisy! I designed for their design team in 2010 through 2013, ending my term with acting as their design team coordinator at the time. Life got crazy for awhile there and I stepped down. So very happy to be part of their new memory keeping team now! Truly was shocked when I got the invite...very flattered to be a part of this diverse group of women. Can't wait to get started playing with their kits!

XO,


The Start of my Soulbook


I am so excited to be participating in the Soulbook Gathering Experience that is being hosted by Brave Girls Club/Brave Living and Melody Ross. I put my album together using sheets of cardboard measuring 6 x 9 that I cut from a large box that was going out in our recycling and created the book using tape and then mod podge for all the papers and other odds and ends.


You can participate in this project and learn more here if interested. You can do this alone, or alone while being part of the online Facebook group or you can set up your own gathering experience in your home with friends or people in your community.


Here are my first two pages that I just finished up last night. You can see, in the picture below, that my glue isn't quite yet dry on my orange trim but I was excited to share my images and couldn't wait.


I love, love, love, taking a little bit of time for myself in this way. Especially right now when times are pretty frustrating and there is much to worry about in our world. I have been craving some time and space in my world for introspection and for self-care. To know that women and girls around the world are taking part in this as well is soothing to the heart.


XO,

Thankful 4 Family | Mini Album

10.21.2017
 

I've been busy here lately with prepping for my annual Zombie Bash that I have at the library for my teens, always a fun time...but something that requires some thought and time to get ready for which hasn't meant a lot of time left over for being creative in my free time. I was able, however, to finish this little project up that I created for a joint project for another blog. It will post later next month but I had to be sure to share it here too.


To create the base of the album I used my Silhouette to cut out the 4 x 6 Vertical Mini Album with Tags by Lori Whitlock and then added some patterned papers, stickers, embellishments, etc. that I felt went together. 


These photos are from a Thanksgiving celebration that's a couple of years old now, but I'm so happy that I printed them and documented them in this way. I love having my mini-albums out during the holidays, not only for decor but for remembering all those fun memories from earlier holidays. It's fun to see my friends and family take a peek at them as well.


Zoey is smitten with her Auntie Bailey because she is so young and thus cool. She loved getting to spend time with her at this particular Thanksgiving.


Her Uncle Nick was there too...always fun to see him too! 


For my journaling, I used my computer and printed everything right away printed with the size of my tags in mind so that I could just trim them all at once and adhere them to my tags.


I didn't really worry about the size of my photos...I just made the ones that I had printed work!








I had fun putting this together! Have you been working on any creative projects lately?


Apple Picking!

10.16.2017

This past weekend we visited an area apple orchard (one that's about an hour away from us) and got a big bag of Macintosh apples to bring home. There is nothing like fresh, tart, apples that you picked yourself from an orchard in the fall!


As soon as we got to the orchard we hiked it out to the apples asap, as rain was on the horizon. I'm happy to say that we were able to pick our apples while escaping the rain!


Here is Ethan and Zoey posing in front of the corn field...something we don't see around home.






Of course, tradition while picking apples is taste testing them as well. We all did some testing.






And here is my not so little pumpkin in the pumpkin patch! Once upon a time she was smaller than that pumpkin!! Sure is crazy how time flies.


  

After our apple picking adventure we hiked a bit in a state park that was nearby. Since the weather was a bit sketchy, it was pretty quiet, which was actually pretty nice.


It was cool, and slightly misting and we could hear the geese as they flew by. They took turns diving into the water and then flying in v formation back in forth almost as though they were putting on a show for us.


There was also a playground so Zoey and I took some time to spend on the swings. Love this girl and love that she still has time (and the desire) to spend time with little old me.






It was a great weekend...kinda sad that it's over. It's so rare that we all get to spend time together these days it seems.