What is it about boys and shoes?? I love new shoes, especially new ones for my kids but why is it that boys can make a new pair of shoes look old and stinky so quickly?? Ugh. I have resorted to taking pictures of his new shoes before he leaves the house because I know when he comes home, they will look completely different. Is it really too much to ask that they look new for a week? Probably so. Oh and don’t even get me started on his socks!! (see below - only worn for an hour) ICK! Oh well…I guess it means he is having fun!

Greta

 

I've been trying to figure out what to do with the big, blank wall in my new scrap room, and I finally figured it out. I had done this in my previous scrap room, but I've expanded on the idea.

I took two curtain rods and drapery clips and this is the result.



A great spot for showcasing recent layouts, my calendar, and a couple of cork boards (one for brads, one for photos to be scrapped or inspiring items I've collected). I love they way this turned out. Not only does this work as cool wall art, but it's functional and can be changed up. If I need more space for another cork board, I can take a layout down and clip up the cork board. If I need to take my cork board full of brads to a crop, I just unclip it and take it along.

Oh, and I have to share a little news with all of you. I had my ultrasound on Wednesday and we are having another GIRL! Notice the ultrasound pics on the cork board?

Amy

... to actually being on vacation is planning for your next vacation. I am lucky to be in the throws of planning our (me and DH) next trip OS. WE ARE GOING TO HAWAII!!! Hooray!! The clock has ticked over and it is now less than a month before we jump on a jet, soar through the sky and land for the luau (?sp)...I am starting to get really excited.

The third best thing about vacations is planning that little scrapping project that you plan to take along - I usually disguise mine as journals. Not only are they actually a scrap project but they are great for keeping track of names and dates and little things that you might want to keep  - ALL SO YOU CAN PULL THEM OUT FOR SCRAPPING WHEN YOU GET BACK!! It's the bit of the vacation that just keeps on giving. This is the cover for my upcoming trip journal....

Amelia

 

supplies: LOTS of Love Elsie by Ki Memories, HS alphas, chipboard circle and flower mask, Chatterbox pp for the flowers, some pens and pencils, white acrylic paint and AL rubons.

Well, even though life has just been a big blur of family/scrapping/house/more, I decided to work on something fun today! Patty issued a great challenge in the Editors blog (check it out at http://www.memorymakersmagazine.com/blog/Whos+Going+To+Win.aspx ) and it just touched me. So I took her up on the challenge. It was a great stretch for me--creatively I got to use colors that are deeper than I usually go for, got to mix some favorite goodies, got to scrap pics that I just took last night, and just telling a different story than would have normally hit me from the pics. So THANK YOU Patty! Everyone else, don't forget to post up your challenge layout (she's giving away a DARE book!!!)

Check it out...

Well, I'm off to Hip Hop class to shiggle a bit! Its my weekly can't-miss escape...great group of girls, great music, fun choreography, and just getting down b/c motherhood doesn't exactly allow me to hit the clubs to dance very often and I'm a dancin' fool! LOL Ooh, tidbit o'inspiration: what's something you like to do that might be a bit unusual...figure it out and scrap it! :)

I love to alter chipboard letters using crackling medium. So I thought I would share a little tutorial on how I do this... it is so easy. I hope you give it a try.

Supplies Needed: Acrylic Paints, DecoArt Weathered Crackling Medium, Paint Brush and chipboard (example is Maya Road Philadephia-Lowercase Chipboard Alphabet)

I have found when using crackling medium, foam brushes are not as effective as using a paint brush.

• Choose two paint colors.
• Using your paint brush, paint your chipboard using the paint color you want to show through the cracks.
• Once the paint is dry, using your paint brush, apply DecoArt Weathered Crackling Medium over the painted surface.
• Allow to dry completely. Depending on the thickness of your application and the humidity this can take from 15 min. to an hour. Please note: The thicker you apply the crackling medium the larger the cracks will be. 
  
• Once your crackling medium is dry, using your paint brush, apply thin coats of paint using your second paint color.  You want just enough paint on your paint brush so that your brush will glide smoothly over the crackling medium. Do not go back over any of the wet paint. You will be painting over the crackle effect and the first paint color (Pink Lipstick) will not show. Just paint a section and move to the next.  
• Allow to dry.

You can paint over your finished embellishment with any of the Making Memories Glazes, accent with rhinestones, buttons, Stickles, etc.

Have fun,
Lisa M. Pace

Hope everyone is having a wonderful Sunday afternoon! Yesterday it was really warm here, so everyone was happy to just sit in the backyard and enjoy one of the last warm days of the season.

Here are a few pics of my goofy little brother, Josiah, and me hanging out in the backyard. My mom snapped these, and I love the expressions she captured. :)

Here he was showing me how to kiss. This is his "big-lip" kiss. LOL. He's three and is the expert on everything. :)




Like the typical boy, he loves to gross me out...he was walking barefoot through the grass and was showing me his very yucky feet.




He then burst out in giggles when he saw my reaction. This happened several times, and was apparently hilarious each and every time. LOL. What can I say, I love this little guy. He's just too stinkin' cute! :)

Brittany

Sunday, is the beginning of one of my favorite seasons. I LOVE everything about Fall. The colors of red, orange, gold and brown give such a warm and cozy feeling in and outside of the home. Watching the leaves fall from trees as a gentle crisp wind blows through the yard is pure bliss. I love fresh, tart apples and baked apple crisps are the best!!! When cooking they make the house smell so good and topped with vanilla ice cream... well, YUMMY. I love homemade chili, soft blankets, hot apple cider, the smell of fireplaces burning, football games etc. I could go on and on. So, I say goodbye Summer and HELLO Fall... now if it would just feel like Fall in Texas.

What is your favorite season? I believe I will create a mini album about all the things I love about Fall. Will post once I get it completed.

Wishing you all a wonderful evening.
Lisa M. Pace

Drum roll please.......

My move to my new scrap room is now complete! Take a look.





I love my new work surface! It is made from cabinets and counter top pruchased from a discount home improvement store. I have ordered a counter stool from Target, which should come any day now. I usually stand when I scrapbook, but like to have a seat when I need to journal or do any detailed work.

So far, I am loving my new room. I feel SO much more organized and productive!

Amy