Humbled and Honored

Hello everyone! I hope everyone is having a great summer. Last week was hard for me...my parents left last Thursday to go back to the Philippines. They had been here since May. Doesn't matter how many times you have to go through it, good-byes are always so hard. I miss them already.

On another note, my daughter, Maysie, is in Washington DC this week attending Girls Nation. We are so proud of her. As well as learning about our government, she will also have the opportunity to meet President Bush this week. I can't imagine being a senior in high school and going on a trip like this! But it is well deserved...I love you, Lovebug.

Lastly, a bit of exciting news. In celebration of Scrapbooks etc. magazine's 10th anniversary in 2009, they have chosen an All-Star Creative Team: 12 scrapbookers picked from past creative teams to work with the publication in the upcoming year. I am truly, truly humbled and sincerely honored to have been chosen as one of them. The editors and staff of Scrapbooks etc. are just the nicest people, and I am so grateful to have another opportunity to work with them.

Here's the complete list of the 2009 Scrapbooks etc. All-Star Creative Team:
Cathy Blackstone
Vicki Boutin
Mellette Berezoski
Kim Crothers
Irma Gabbard
Sande Krieger
Amy Licht
Jennifer Perks
Erin Roe
Lisa Storms
Janna Wilson
Shannon Zickel

What an honor. Thank you, SBE!

Meet Linda

This adorable layout was created by Linda Auclair from beautiful New Hampshire. I'm loving the way she used one of my button flowers as a tag pull for the cute journaling pocket. Very clever idea, Linda! The sweet photo of her oldest daughter after getting her long hair cut into a darling bob is one of Linda's favorites. Linda is a mom to three kids (a son who is 21 and two girls ages 8 and 6) and has been scrapping for six and a half years. She has designed for several websites over the years, but makes her online "home" at A Peek Into Yesterday. She is also a proud member of the Creative Imaginations design team. Fabulous work, Linda!

Materials used: Patterned paper: Crate Paper (birdie) and Sassafras Lass (lollipop); Library pocket: Bazzill; Button flower embellishment: Mellette Berezoski by Design; Alpha stickers: Pink Paislee; Tiny alpha stickers and paper flower with brad: Making Memories; Bird stamp: Imaginisce; Glitter glue: Stickles, Ranger Ink.

Remember, if you've created a layout or project that uses products from my Etsy shop and would like to share, please email me a scan or digital photo. I will feature a new layout every few weeks, and if your page or project is chosen, you'll receive a little gift from me:)

Scrapbook Bakery

I am so honored to be the July Guest Designer for Scrapbook Bakery . If you haven't seen their website, check it out...their kits are fantastic! The July kit I used is called "Firecracker" and I found it to be very versatile. Using only the products in the kit, I was able to create...
1) a 12x12 layout about my son's achievement in school:
2) a decorative box to store my little boy's ribbons, medals, and other keepsakes:
3) a 5x5 card to celebrate Independence Day:
While you're there, check out previous kits and guest designers. You're sure to find a huge helping of inspiring recipes! Thanks, Heather!

Meet Kellie

This darling layout was created by Kellie Hirohata of her adorable son, Bradley at 3 months old. I love how the large pattern paper heart grounds the sweet photo. And being the flower fanatic that I am, I love that she wasn't afraid to use flower embellishments on a boy page. Awesome job, Kellie!

Materials used:
Cardstock: Bazzill; Pattern paper: BasicGrey (floral), Crate Paper (black), and 7 Gypsies (tape measure); All flower embellishments: Mellette Berezoski by Design; Metal photo corner: Maya Road; Metal label holder: Stampin' Up; Rub-on alphas: American Crafts; Clear plastic and small alphas: Heidi Swapp for Advantus; Acrylic paint and tag: Making Memories; Ribbon: BasicGrey; Epoxy letter sticker: Prima Marketing; Black pens: EK Success and Sharpie; Metallic gold dots: Crystaline; Other: thread and embroidery floss.

If you've created a layout that uses products from my Etsy store and would like to share, please email me a scan or digital photo. I will feature a new layout every few weeks, and if your page or project is chosen, you'll receive a little gift from me:)

The Graduate

Hi there! It's been a while since I've posted. The end of the school year is always pretty crazy around our house. My parents are visiting for the summer and we are all so excited that they're here! I've been working on some projects for Autumn Leaves using their Clear Stamps, which I love. If you're new to stamping or just need some fun, clever ideas for your stamping projects, check out AL's Perfectly Clear book. It's full of inspiring and creative ways to make the most of your clear stamps.

On another note, we attended our nephew's graduation a few weeks ago. Nick is the younger brother of our niece, Becca, who passed away in February. Despite a very emotional and trying semester, Nick graduated Summa Cum Laude from Lamar University with a degree in Electrical Engineering. No doubt he has an incredibly promising future ahead, and we look forward to watching him discover and fulfill the great purpose God has for him.

And I do believe Becca was cheering the loudest as he walked across that stage and received his diploma.

Congratulations, Nick! We are so proud of you!

New Products

...I've been working on. Sorry I haven't posted in a while.

Creative Confetti, May Flowers Mix...

more Creative Confetti, Songbird Mix...

and Cute as a Button Flowers, Summer Mix...

So fun to play with...

Anyone catch American Idol tonight? Who do you think did well? I thought Michael Johns, Jason Castro, Carly, and David the rocker guy were fantastic. Funny, the guys did a great job of pulling off a Dolly Parton song!

Congratulations

...to Heather

...and to Liza!

You are the winners of the Autumn Leaves idea book drawing! To receive your copy of the Designing With Recipe Book, please click on my profile and send me an email with your address and phone number. I'll ship the books out this week. Thanks for playing and congratulations!