Clique Kits Guest Design Team Work

Hello All!  This month I have been a guest designer for Clique Kits.  I created some layouts that are featured on their blog.  You can see the Clique Kits post here.  Don't forget, that I've started a new blog, and you can subscribe via email for updates.  Here is the link for my new blog incase, you haven't checked it out.

Happy Scrapping!

Project 365 Details

Hello All!  Today, I'm going to share my Project 365 Details.  Basically, I will be taking at least one photo a day and working to improve my photography skills.  That is not all I'm going to be doing as I really plan to push myself this year.  Already, reflecting and thinking about my goals has really led me to understand what I want to work on this year both professionally and personally.  So, here are some of the logistics.

*I haven't yet figure out how I want to share these photos.  Do I want to create a gallery on my website, create a separate Instagram Account for them, or use some other online gallery.

*I don't think I will be able to cull and edit photos daily as I get back to work.  I will take a photo daily that is for sure. If need be, I will edit the photos on a weekly basis.

*I'm going to be documenting One Little Word and this project in my traveler's notebook.  Pulling my favorite photos monthly and adding them in with some notes about the photos I've chosen.

*I also bought these cute little notebooks from Clique Kits to use for notes and ideas.  They're small and easy to take anywhere.

As soon as I figure out my gallery situation, I'll share it here.  Have a great day!

One Little Word: Renew

Hello Everyone!  Welcome to 2018.  I hope you had a great Christmas and New Year.  We did, that's for sure.  This year, I am embarking on the One Little Journey again.  I've chosen the word: Renew.

I want to renew my creativity in scrapbooking and journaling.  I want to renew and build my photography skills.  I want to renew and redefine my relationship with the boys as they get older.  I want to renew a commitment to blogging more often.

I am really more excited than I have been in a long time to start this new journey.  Not only have a committed to do One Little Word, but I've also started a 365 Day project for photography.  I am still trying to figure out how to organize everything.  In the coming days, I will get that figured out and share it with you.  So, I'm pretty excited!!!  I am wishing you all the best for 2018.

Hello October: Here's Something Crafty

Hello everyone!  I thought I would share these layouts I made for the Clique Kits Instagram Share.  They were done in my Traveller's Journal.  I love that little thing.  Remember I'm using a Moleskine journal.

I'm going to try and post some updates this week.  It's just been so busy around here.  This week is going to be busy too.  Anyhow, happy Sunday!

Something Crafty

I know one of my goals this summer was to be crafty.  I've done a little bit of that.  Remember, I bought this journal?  I have done quite a bit of pages, and some of them will remain private.  I feel like this journal allows me to be more personal and to share more personal thoughts.  Therefore, some of them will just be for us.  But, I wanted to share these layouts with you today.  They aren't flat because I didn't want to have my hands in the picture holding them down.  I hope you enjoy them and that you feel inspired to make a journal for your family too.  

Summer Goals

Hey everyone!  Every year, I post my summer goals on here...and every year a lot of them are never met.  So instead of posting how I'm going to organize the house head to toe, I'm going to post more realistic goals.  Let's face it, the only way this house is going to get organized top to bottom is if house fairies come along and do it...Ha.

*Swim 1 mile a day.  This is totally a reachable goal.  I've been swimming at least 1/2 to 6 tenths of mile for the last month after school.  I don't think swimming a mile is too far of a stretch, considering how I used to swim a mile a day growing up.  The boys are swimming laps with me as well.  It's become our thing for the summer.  We are still old fashioned counting laps with an abacus like my grandmother and I did.

*Not let my hair turn green...this is serious.  Hopefully with a salt water pool this won't happen.  I've got this concoction here that should help...I'll let you know.

*Go on a huge hike.  Erik and I watched A Walk in The Woods with Robert Redford and Nick Nolte a few months ago.  It's a hilarious movie as they try and conquer the Appalachian Trail.  We researched and found a 21 mile loop here and are going to try and take the dogs and the kids on this adventure this summer.

*Organize the garage...I know, I started this post with not organizing stuff.  We did remodel the kitchen and office so I sort of need to do this.  Really.  I love my new kitchen.

*Make crafty stuff.  I recently caught on to the trend of using a Traveler's Notebook to document stuff.  I didn't actually pick a Traveler's Journal, but I picked this journal.   I LOVE IT!!!  It's small and I can take it anywhere. Here's a page I made.

*Grill like crazy...Erik and I love to BBQ and come up with great food recipes.  This summer we hope to build an in ground BBQ pit. 

*Organize my Donor's Choose Project...that's a biggie.  I've had no math manipulatives for two years in a row.  So, I need to sit down and get that done.  Hopefully, keep your fingers crossed I won't be changed grade levels again.  They changed me to 1st grade only...and I had to move classrooms for the sixth time in the last two years. Keep your fingers crossed for me.

*Have fun!  I want to have a great summer with the kids.  My oldest will be in high school this next school year.  Raising a teenager is everything people warn you about.  So, I'm trying to hold onto my sanity with this kid.  I just want to have fun a lot together as a family.  

So there you have it.  It's just a simple list.  Lot's of fun.  Lot's of family time.  

Have a great day!

Clique Kits Pep Rally

Hello All!!!  You should have arrived here from Janet's Blog.  I am your last stop on the Blog Hop today.  Last month, my dog chewed up my layout and I was unable to participate.  So, this month I made up for it with two layouts.  It also helps that I am on summer vacation!  So here you go.  I love this kit!!

These photos were taken on our camping trip last week. It was super windy so the lake was really green and wavey...I snapped these pics of JoJo jumping in the waves.  I wanted to keep the colors muted and beachy to match the photos.  The papers and sequins were perfect for the look I was going for.

Here is the second layout.

It was also taken at the lake this last week.  I really wish I hadn't added the washi tape but when I tried to remove it things started ripping so it stayed.

I realize all of the photos are of the kids with their backs to the camera.  That is because it was 107 degrees and I was hiding in the shade I was trying to be super artsy.  It was really hot, I'm not going to lie.  Hope you all enjoyed the Pep Rally.  In case you got lost, here is the complete list for you:

Clique Kits https://cliquekits.wordpress.com/
Gia Lau https://giaaloha.wordpress.com/
*Kat Benjamin http://kraftykat9.blogspot.com
*Elisabetta Margini https://abcdeliblog.blogspot.com/
*Marcia Dehn-Nix http://onescrapatatime-bymumsie.blogspot.com/
*Aliza Deutsch http://peopleofthescrapbook.blogspot.com/
*Candace Perkins http://findingeverydayperfection.com/
Sandy Gonzalez http://craftythought.com
Kim Allen http://kimsscrappyblog.blogspot.com/
Maryam Perez http://maryamperez.blogspot.com/
Sara Mishler https://sarascrapsblog.wordpress.com/
Audrey Yeager http://audreysreflection.blogspot.ca/
Kim Oedekoven http://krodesigns.blogspot.com/
  Donna Espiritu http://scrappydonna.blogspot.com/
Janet Perafan-Babar http://janetperafanbabar.blogspot.com/
Janet Zeppa ​www.janetsjoy.blogspot.ca
Mariah Hechler www.fun2scrap.blogspot.com/

Clique Kits Pep Rally

Hello everyone!  You should have arrived from Leigh Ann's blog.  I'm the last stop on the list today, and I hope you have enjoyed the trip.  I have a layout to share with you today... but first I must explain.  It almost didn't happen because of this puppy.  She's going through a horrendous chewing stage that has resulted in the loss of many, many items...including my shoes, sunglasses, etc.

Sure she looks innocent in this photo but don't let it deceive you.  I came home to this...

The plastic up at the top is the part of the bag the kit was in.  And apparently she ate this because it's missing.  I may find it in the yard in a week or two.

Anyhow, the word of the day when I made the layout was "distress."  Much of the papers had been chewed, as well as the embellishments.  So I made sure to distress the stuff that wasn't already distressed by Laylah, ha.  

I really love this kit.  The colors and papers are amazing!!!  I can't wait to use some of them in my project life.  I used the die-cuts to create the title.  Though, I'm pretty sure my son wasn't happy that day while sitting in time out (far right).  I was because it shows his dog waiting for him to get up.  That made me happy.  She laid there for about 8 minutes with him.  I just chose some every day moments I've photographed to put into the layout (tons more are on instagram).  I wanted black and white photos to pop against the yellow background.  

And just a close up of the distressing.  The title distressing totally brought to you by Laylah's teeth.  

Well I've wrapped up the Clique Kits Pep Rally today.  I know you have seen some AMAZING projects.  Just incase you need the list, here it is.

​Clique Kits https://cliquekits.wordpress.com/
Gia Lau https://giaaloha.wordpress.com/
Erica Thompson https://ericarosecreates.wordpress.com/
Lacey Gasper http://laceybugcreations.blogspot.com/
*Donna Espiritu http://www.scrappydonna.blogspot.com/
*Justyna Skowron http://www.made-by-justt.blogspot.com/
*Aliza Deutsch http://peopleofthescrapbook.blogspot.com/
*Kat Benjamin http://kraftykat9.blogspot.com
*Marcia Dehn-Nix http://www.onescrapatatime-bymumsie.blogspot.com/
Kim Oedekoven http://krodesigns.blogspot.com/
Sandy Gonzalez http://craftythought.com
Kim Allen http://kimsscrappyblog.blogspot.com/
*Leigh Ann Odynksi  http://www.artfulleighcreative.com
Mariah Hechler www.fun2scrap.blogspot.com/

Clique Kits Pep Rally

Hello everyone!  You should have arrived here from Charity's blog.  I have a layout to share with you today.  I wish I could have made a few more layouts, but that thing called Time makes it so hard to do.  

This layout is of my Uncle Mike.  He passed away on Cinco de Mayo last year after a long battle with illness.  I was finally able to recover photos from my hard drive and this was one of him a few years ago at Thanksgiving.  I'm so glad that I found it.

I hope you have a great day!  Now you are off to Leigh's blog.

Here is the entire blog list for you just in case:

Clique Kits https://cliquekits.wordpress.com/
Gia Lau https://giaaloha.wordpress.com/
Erica Thompson https://ericarosecreates.wordpress.com/
*Melissa Vining http://yesterday2day4ever.blogspot.co.nz
*Leeann Pearce http://thepaintbrushgoesspottie.blogspot.com.au/
*Carolina Schulz www.carolinaschulz.com
*Kat Benjamin http://kraftykat9.blogspot.com
*Marcia Dehn-Nix http://www.onescrapatatime-bymumsie.blogspot.com/
*Maryam Perez Osorio http://maryamperez.blogspot.com/
Elsie Robinson http://heyelsie.blogspot.com/
Sandy Gonzalez http://craftythought.com
Taina Cortes (Evi) http://lifewithevi.blogspot.com/​
Kim Allen http://kimsscrappyblog.blogspot.com/
Hannah Lemieux http://www.scrapbookpagesandcupcakes.com/
Charity Feit http://www.scrapfaire.blogspot.com/
Mariah Hechler www.fun2scrap.blogspot.com/
Leigh Ann Odynksi  http://www.artfulleighcreative.com

Clique Kits Pep Rally

Hello there!  You should have arrived from Kim's blog.  This week I have a planner layout to share with you.  This layout is from last week because believe it or not, I thought the Pep Rally was last Wednesday.  Imagine my surprise when I went get the post ready and was like not very many people have signed up for this.  Then, I realize that is probably because I am quite early.

This month's kit is really lovely.  I would have loved to do a regular layout, but realized my printer is basically obsolete so I couldn't print new photos.  No fear, though, we got a new printer!!  I feel so high tech now.  Okay, that's enough of that.  Here are the pics of my planner layout.

I kept it super simple for the monthly layout, just adding a few pieces of the ephemera and some patterned paper at the bottom.  Also notice, I have the Pep Rally scheduled for the 17th, ha.

Here is the weekly plan for last week.  I just added some of of the paper strip I cut and the stickers.  I'm trying to keep the pages flat in my planner this time around.  I learned that lesson.

Then, I made myself a little bookmark/straight edge from the lovely geometric patterned paper and some of the ephemera pieces.  I'm using it mostly to have the straight edge for crossing out the days in my planner because I'm weird like that.  I figured the "a day in my life" was appropriate for crossing out each day when it's completed.  If you are interested, you can find this week's current page on my Instagram Page.  Okay, now you are off to Megan's blog.  Have a great day!

Clique Kits https://cliquekits.wordpress.com/
Gia Lau https://giaaloha.wordpress.com/
Erica Thompson https://ericarosecreates.wordpress.com/
Melissa Vining http://yesterday2day4ever.blogspot.co.nz
*​Candace Pearce http://findingeverydayperfection.com/
*Leeann Pearce http://thepaintbrushgoesspottie.blogspot.com.au/
*Carolina Schulz www.carolinaschulz.com
Kat Benjamin http://kraftykat9.blogspot.com
​*Leigh Ann Odynksi http://www.artfulleighcreative.com/
Aliza Deutsch http://peopleofthescrapbook.blogspot.com
*Elisabetta Margini https://abcdeliblog.blogspot.com/
Taina Cortes (Evi) http://lifewithevi.blogspot.com
*Kim Oedekoven http://krodesigns.blogspot.com/  ----You came from here.
Mariah Hechler www.fun2scrap.blogspot.com/ ------You are here.
Megan Blethen www.craftymeggy.com​​ -----Go here next.
Kim Allen http://kimsscrappyblog.blogspot.com/
Maryam Perez Osorio http://maryamperez.blogspot.com/
Renee Aslette www.reneeaslette.blogspot.com
Sandy Gonzalez http://craftythought.com

Clique Kits Pep Rally

Hello there!  You should have arrived from Kim's blog.  She always has so many amazing layouts to share.  I'm so glad to share my project with you today.  I barely made it, though it is good to be crafty again after so long.  My little puppy was sick yesterday.  I guess I shouldn't say little...she weighs 67 pounds now at 4.5 months old.  We had to make an emergency trip to the vet.  She seems to be doing okay, but it cut my crafty time way short.  I have a very simple layout to share with you today.  I loved the Ephemera pack that came with the kit and used it to complete the entire layout.  Those ephemera pieces really can speed up your layouts when you are short of time or just want to get a lot of layouts done.  I always find too, that they are good for titles.  It's so hard to come up with titles sometimes and make them look right on your page.

I really apologize for the poor photo but it was so dark when we got home, I had to take it inside.

I hope you have a really lovely day!

Here is the complete blog list incase you need it!  You should be heading to Renee's blog.

​Clique Kits https://cliquekits.wordpress.com/
Gia Lau https://giaaloha.wordpress.com/
​*Melissa Vining http:yesterday2day4ever.blogspot.co.nz
*​Candace http://findingeverydayperfection.com/
*Kat Benjamin http://kraftykat9.blogspot.com
​*Leigh Ann http://www.artfulleighcreative.com/
*Aliza http://peopleofthescrapbook.blogspot.com
*Elisabetta https://abcdeliblog.blogspot.com/
Donna http://scrappydonna.blogspot.com/
Emma Pescott http://emslifedocumented.blogspot.co.nz
Sandy Gonzalez http://craftythought.com
Kim Allen kimsscrappyblog.blogspot.com/-----you came from here.
Mariah Hecher http://www.fun2scrap.blogspot.com/-----You are here.
Renee Aslette http://www.reneeaslette.blogspot.com-----Go here next.
Kate Blue http://www.kateblue.blogspot.com
​Megan Blethen www.craftymeggy.com
Kelly Baron kaybeetoo.blogspot.com
Bernie Miller http://weekendatberniis.blogspot.com.au/

Hand Lettering...Which Pens I like best

Hello all!  What's this?  A craft related post.  I can't believe it myself.  I've taken pretty much a hiatus from everything crafty.  We've had a lot going on in our lives the last month.  I've really been enjoying hand lettering lately.  I usually sit at the table in the evenings when Erik and I catch up on our days and write.  It's relaxing for me.  I also set up a tray and night and practice while we watch TV.  Currently, we are watching Sons of Anarchy.  It's really good.

I know I have a TON of practice to do.  I just wanted to share some things I'm using with you guys.  There is a ton of information on the internet.  Tons and it's easy to get overwhelmed.  I've always like handwriting and been interested in all kinds of fonts, etc.  What gave me a good jump start was a class I took from Studio Calico called "Love Your Lettering" by Jasmine Jones.  She gave a lot of really great tips.  She suggested using this pen:

I actually love this pen.  It has a drag to it that I like.  I also like the thicker tip.  I can't decide which pen I like more.  This one or my Sharpie.

I love that the Sharpie is so smooth when it writes.  I also like the fine tip.  I get that this is opposite of what I love about the Papermate.  It's just that I really like them both for different reasons.

As I was getting started on the hand lettering, I was filling in the downstrokes of the letters to make them appear more "Calligraphy" like.  To be honest, it was time consuming so I decided to try my hand with brush pens.  I started with this one.

I got two of them.  One was black and the other was True Blue.  They were good pens and I like the dual tip.  However, I noticed a difference between them.  The black marker was firmer than the colored one.  I heard a lot about the Tombow brush pens.  I decided to try them out.  You can see the pen in my first photo (Hello November).  I love this pen!  Love it!!

This pen is awesome.  It's firmer than the Prisma Colors so it's easier to control.  It doesn't have a strong odor..which sitting for a couple of hours and writing the smell can get to you.  I also really love the thin tip.  I used it in the picture above to write Roald Dahl.  It took a bit to get used to the brush pens, but I like the results far better than drawing the letters and filling in the down strokes.  It is far less time consuming and looks much smoother.

I should mention that I am also writing in a tracing paper pad that I bought at Target. I like that the paper is slippery and the pen slides nicely over it.  It's thin enough too, that I can put a paper with lines underneath as a guide.  I might buy a sketch book eventually, but I'm happy with the tracing paper for now.

Well, I hope this post helps if you are interested in hand lettering.  Have a great day.

Clique Kits Pep Rally

Hello ladies!!  Welcome to the Clique Kits Pep Rally for August.  You should have arrived here from Emma's blog.  I have been super, super busy with a new job!!  I love it, but I've had little time to come up for air.  I only got one layout done for this kit which I really love :(  I love the colors.  I love the type on the pages, and I love the gold!!

I created a super simple layout.  I loved the pinks and blues together.  The stars came from the Clique Into Color Kit.  This layout is of my son.  He dressed as a nerd for Halloween and he looked so cute.  He's the cutest nerd I've ever seen, anyway.

Your next stop is Cassandra's blog.  Have a beautiful day!!

Just in case you got lost, here is the entire blog list.

Clique Kits https://cliquekits.wordpress.com/
Gia http://www.giaaloha.wordpress.com/
Erica http://ericarosecreates.blogspot.com/
Sophie*  https://colorsgalore.wordpress.com/
Sandy G.*  http://www.thepinkcamera.com/
Megan  www.craftymeggy.com
Emma Pescott  http://emslifedocumented.blogspot.co.nz/  ----You came from here
Mariah www.fun2scrap.blogspot.com---You are here
Cassandra* http://www.thescrapperinme.blogspot.sg/----Go here next
Donna* http://scrappydonna.blogspot.com/
Aliza* http://peopleofthescrapbook.blogspot.com/
Kim Allen Kimsscrappyblog@blogspot.com
Tyra http://justtyra.com/
Karrie cookedupbykarrie.blogspot.com
Evi ortes http://lifewithevi.blogspot.com/
Hannah https://scrapbookpagesandcupcakes.wordpress.com/

August Clique Kits Challenge

This month we are excited to have Winnie & Walter as our August challenge sponsor!  Here is a little bio about your friends over at Winnie & Walter!

Winnie & Walter is a small pup of a company with a big heart and a simple philosophy: to have fun creating and create products that are fun to create with.  With their versatile and timeless designs, dedication to the crafting community, boundless enthusiasm, and sunny eager-to-please attitude, Winnie & Walter is sure to become one of your best crafty friends.

Make sure to head on over to their Facebook page and give them a Like!  We sure do love the ladies over at Winnie & Walter!

Here are a few details to go along with this months ANYTHING GOES challenge!

• You may combine our challenge with other challenges
• You may enter our challenge up to 3 times
• Link up your projects by August 31st, 11:55 pm CST
• You are not required to use a Clique Kit to link up
• Create any type of project
• Link directly to your challenge project entry post