Sketchy Thursdays...For The Bird

I started this layout using yet another of Sketchy Thursdays sketches a couple weeks of ago and unfortunately, just finally wrapped it up last night.  This is one of "those" papers for me.  I've had it for a couple years now, just waiting for the right photos.  But, when I started to cut into it, I started having a panic attack and beads of sweat were running down my face!!  Haha, not really, but it WAS painful.  I don't know why, but, I absolutely love it and the thought of making a wrong cut and rendering the paper useless, was more than I could bear (or is it bare?).  Anyway, it was one of those moments when you realize this whole paper crafting biz isn't as much a hobby as it is an addiction!! ;O)

Despite the drama of cutting up the paper, I'm happy with the results and absolutely love these pictures.  How cute are these two together!!  This bird absolutely adores Owen and we have trouble keeping them apart!  Owen's very gentle, but, with such a little bird, you just can't risk it!    

Paper: Three Bugs In a Rug Happy Bird-day

Cardstock: Vineyard Berry, Creme Brulee, White Diasy

Ink: Vineyard Berry, Juniper, Creme Brulee, and Cocoa

Stamps:  The Works Alpha, Small Chocolate Alpha, Your a Hoot (branch), Twitterpated Exclusive set (leaves), and Dream Wishes

Other: EKSuccess border punch, CTMH Ribbon, CTMH Spring Blossom Mini Medleys and brads, Making Memories Embroidery Floss and Bazzill Basics In Stitches Circle Guide, and Zig pen

Toot, toot!

O.k., I don't normally do this, but, I was super excited and nobody here understands...I was in the top 5 at Sketchy Thursdays (for the second time) for my "Only Exception" layout!!  The girls that enter the sketch challenges over there do AMAZING work, so, even though I didn't win the whole thing, I'm truly SO honored!!!  The challenges over at Sketchy Thursdays are truly inspiring, I hope you can join me in the next one!!

Sketchy Thursdays...Rudolph On Ice

I had so much fun with the last sketch from Sketchy Thursdays, I decided to keep the fun rolling with the current one!  This one goes against the engineer in me...I do better with big pieces of square paper...strips of paper are outside my comfort box!! ;O)  I'm sad, I know...I'm working on it!!  This was a great way to use up some scraps though!

How cute is my little man as Rudolph...he had to take beginning skating lessons over again this year...he was quite the pro by the end of the winter last year, but, we didn't stick with it over the summer and he informed us the ice was "too swippery" when we got him on skates this year. Anyway, the rink had a Christmas recital at the end of the lessons and we decided he might as well participate in it since we skipped out last year.  Owen likes being in front of a crowd, but, didn't feel the need to do the dance moves.  So, mostly, we went to watch him stand on the ice...I think we'll stick to hockey and avoid any possibility of another skate recital in the future! ;O)

Paper: BoBunny Tis the Season

Cardstock: Cranberry, Clover Meadow, and Colonial White

Stamps:  True Friends and I Believe

Other:  Cricut Plantin School Book Cartridge (title), MS Snowflake punch and border punch, Stickles, CTMH pearl colored red with Copic markers, Glitter Dome Crystal Stickers by Mark Richards, and Zig Pen

Sketchy Thursdays...Only Exception

I don't know what it is about the Sketchy Thursday Sketches, but, they totally get me inspired and motivated!!!  I've had a really hard time getting back into the swing of things since the holidays and I haven't loved my last few projects.  But, I LOVE how this one turned out and it went together so fast!!

I've been wanting to document a special thing that Owen does and this was just the layout to do it!  He and I were listening to Paramore's song "The Only Exception" in the truck one day and Owen started singing it with me.  Ever since then, any time the song comes on the radio, Owen always says "It's our song mommy!" and stops whatever he's doing to sit with me and sing it.  It's the sweetest thing EVER!  He's such a little love bug, I don't know how we got so lucky!

I was so excited to get started with this sketch, it wasn't until I was looking at everyone else's entries that I realized this is a contest sketch!  Not only will the winner get the prestigious honor of being a Guest DT member in February, but, there's also an AMAZING kit up for grabs from Artfuldelight.  You have until the 22nd to post your take on the sketch!!


Paper:  Kaiser Craft Shaken Not Stirred Collection
Cardstock:  CTMH Black and White Daisy
Ink: CTMH Black and Cranberry
Stamps:  Felicity Alpha
Other: CTMH Sparkle brads, Cricut Designer Calendars (heart), Making Memories Embroidery Floss, Ribbon was by the yard from LSS, Zig pen, and White Gelly Roll Pen from Sakura

The Scrappiest (Technically)...4 Years Old

I started off with this super cute sketch from The Scrappiest, but, things deteriorated and below is the result...a little less from the sketch and a little more just randomly placed! ;O)  Seems like that happens a lot to me...I start out with good intentions...oh well!!

I absolutely love this paper from BoBunny, seems like I've been more and more into their paper lately!  Its hard to tell, but, there are tons of Stickles on this layout and even my Spica pen glitters...snow should sparkle even if it is purple and green!  I can't believe my little man is 4, that just breaks my heart!!  He's so thrilled about it too, I think his teacher has really talked-up the fact that turning 4 is when you become a "big boy".  He tells me that constantly now...I don't need any reminders!! :O(

Paper: Bobunny
Cardstock: Hydrangea, Twighlight, Citrus Leaf, and White Daisy
Ink: Kiwi
Other: EKSuccess Edge punch, Stickles, Cricut Cartridges (Wild Card and When It's Cold Outside), Lavender Spica Pen 

Gift Card Holder...

Happy New Year everyone!!  I hope everyone enjoyed the holidays and are looking forward to a happy and healthy year in the coming months.  I was thinking how thankful I was that none of our family ended up in the emergency room this past year...well, apart from Owen sticking part of his toy up his nose! ;O)  I mean no real illness this year.  I pretty much am just hoping for the same in 2011!

I had hoped to hit a 100 blog posts last year, but, things got crazy the last half of the year and productivity (at least scrapping productivity) went downhill!! :O)  I have a couple last things to share though that I never got posted.  Below is a gift card holder for my little brother that I have yet to get in the mail!  How cute is this idea?  I used the template from the Waltzing Mouse Blog that she posted HERE on SCS (just click on the pdf link).  I love her stamps, she even makes them to go with Spellbinders Nestabilities...the only downside is that she's in Ireland, but, it looks like shipping is INCREDIBLY reasonable from there (only $3.60 to ship a stamp set to AK)!

Please excuse the color in the top photo...I'm taking an online course from Kelby Training (and loving it by the way) on how to use my camera...but, obviously, it's going to take some practice! ;O)

Paper:  Mistletoe

Cardstock: Cranberry and Colonial White

Stamps: Small Chocolate Alpha and No Peeking

Ink: Cocoa

Other:  Prima flower and leaves, American Crafts glitter brad, and Creative Memories Embroidery Floss