How Time Flies

A week ago I helped my oldest daughter move out of the house to go to college. I have to admit it was gut wrenching! As much as I will miss her, I'm still very excited for her and all the new adventures she will have in college. Doesn't seem that long ago that I was in college! Ha! ha! How time flies! In honor of her graduating and leaving for college, I made this layout with a few pictures of her from kindergarten through graduation. I think sometimes we scrapbook "events" and often forget to make layouts that highlight changes, relationships, feelings, or other "non-event" things in our lives. It was so rewarding to reflect on how my daughter has grown up while making this layout. Those are the feelings and memories that make scrapbooking worth it!

Oh, and one more thing...the photo on the right? That is my daughter on her last day of her school her senior year holding a picture of herself on her very first day of kindergarten! Poetic? Ha! Ha! I hope so! I planned it that way! :)

Bundles of Bling

I love to create simple layouts accented with bundles of bling. It's easy to create cute little clusters to highlight your photos and make your pages pop like in this layout made with the Avonlea papers. Here are a few tips on how to make your own bundles of bling: 

1) use odd numbers of accents; 

2) arrange your embellishments in triangular shapes for balance; 

3) raid your stash - clusters are a great way to use up left over accents you have laying around; 

4) don't be afraid to combine different textures.

Celebrate with Mini Banners

I love to have an excuse to celebrate a special occasion and there are so many reasons to celebrate! Birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, new job and more. A celebration isn't the same without decorations. Check out this cute mini banner that is perfect for any reason to celebrate. I made it for my daughter's graduation this past May. See the cute graduation caps at the ends? They are simple card stock creations that can be attached with velcro. They were super simple and easy. But what if you want to use your banner for a different occasion? Instead of graduation hats you can add a sports embellishment to celebrate your child's sports wins. Or, add a wedding cake to celebrate an anniversary or bridal shower. There are many different accents that you can use to make this cute banner fit your special occasion. So have fun and celebrate! 

Happy Mother's Day

Looking for a card idea to go with that mother's day present this weekend? Grab your Dotty for You paper and create this simple and easy Mother's day card (I got this card idea from a creative fellow consultant)! Or substitute paper you already have in your collection that is in your mom's favorite colors. That's the beauty of making our own cards...we can make them special by using our loved ones favorite colors and themes. Happy Mother's day to all women who nurture and love children anywhere.

Can Pictures Speak More than a Thousand Words?

You have all heard the phrase "A picture is worth a thousand words." As scrapbookers we know our photos speak to us. But we can take advantage of pictures to tell us more! In this layout, I made a sign for my son to hold on his last day of school. I could have snapped a regular picture on his last day, but holding the sign made it more meaningful. Photos like this add to the meaning to our layouts without using additional journaling. Here are some more ideas on how to create photos with a purpose that speak even more than a thousand words!

• Create a simple sign for someone to hold. It could say a simple phrase, or share an emotion such as "We miss you, Dad!" For added meaning, have your child write it him/herself!
• When using signs, I suggest making it at least 8 1/2 x 11 in a large font so it is readable in the photo.
• Have each person in the picture hold a letter to spell a word.
• Point to a map. For example, in a place you visit, find a city map and point to where you are on the map.
• Reinact a moment you want to capture that you didn't have your camera for the first time. It sounds crazy but if you make it cheesy and totally ham it up it adds even more emotion and fun! For example, your daughter goes on her first date but you don't want to embarrass her in front of her date (well, anymore than we as parents do already! Ha! Ha!). The next day, reenact the leaving on the date scene by having her dad (with hands on his hips of course) wagging his finger while the daughter shakes her head in embarrassment. Believe me, that photo will say more than a thousand words!

These are just a few of the many ways that you can make your photos have more meaning and more messages behind them. Get creative and play around with more and make your next photo shoot say more!

Dotty For You!

LOVE this year's National Scrapbooking Month promotion! It features this beautiful paper packet with fun prints on one side and adorable polka dots on the other side! I LOVE polka dots! When you place an order of $35 or more in products from the Spring/Summer 2012 Idea Book between April 17 and May 31, you may add the Dotty for You paper packet, valued at $19.95, for just $5. That's right! Just $5! Dotty for You includes 24 specially designed, coordinating B&T Duos^®sheets (2 each of 12 patterns) and an artwork idea insert to get your creative juices flowing. But that’s not all! There are two ways you can get this darling paper packet FREE! Hostesses will receive a free Dotty for You paper packet when their Gathering sales total $400 or more (excluding tax, shipping/handling, and Operation Smile donations). Or new Consultants who sign up between April 1 and May 31 (two full months!) will receive a free Dotty for You paper packet with their kit.  

No matter what projects you have in mind, you will love these dotty papers! Enjoy!

Create Your Own Patterned Paper

Create your own patterned paper? Yes you can....in Studio J! I love it! Check out this great video with tips on how to create your own patterned paper and more!