Scrapping the Joy

Being Your Mother

2010-11-13T11:55:00.000-06:00

My first layout with a kit I created myself. I couldn't be more happy with the results! :D

Kit: Love That Child by me, Blue Heart Scraps

Winter Wonderland

2010-11-13T11:51:00.001-06:00

We don't get a lot of snow in Alabama - and it's usually a year or two in between each light coating of white. But, when it does flurry, the boys love making the most of it.

Credit: IceCream IceCapades by Spinky Dink Scraps

Tate Farms 2010

2010-10-17T11:37:00.000-05:00

Our favorite part of fall the past few years has been taken Tyler and Hayden to the local pumpkin patch. This year? The most fun we've had so far. I can't WAIT til next year! :)

Credits: Country Hayride Papers and Elements by Spinky Dink Scraps

So You Say

2010-10-15T12:34:00.000-05:00

A set of memories I don't ever want to forget

Kit used: Tell Me About It, a collab by Spinky Dink Scraps and Geek Chic

You Are My Sonshine

2010-10-08T19:28:00.000-05:00

They are most certainly the light of my life (awww, so mushy)

Credit: Light of Laughter by Spinky Dink Scraps

Num Nums - New Collab by Spinky Dink Scraps and Sugar Pie Scraps

2010-10-02T12:58:00.000-05:00

Spinky Dink Scraps has a new collab kit with Sugar Pie Scraps, called Num Nums, now available at Gotta Pixel:

And a few new layouts from me, using this adorable kit:

Credit: Num Nums by Spinky Dink Scraps and Sugar Pie Scraps

Best Friends

2010-09-19T21:02:00.000-05:00

No matter how much Kyle and I love our boys, I don't think it comes close to how much they love each other. They have such a solid bond, and they're so adorable to watch together. They follow each other around like they're tied at the hips, and copy each others words and actions relentlessly. I hope they're always so close!

Kit: Sweet Panda-monium by Jen Yurko

Fall Fun 09

2010-09-11T12:15:00.010-05:00

I am so ready for fall. I've dealt with record high temps this year for far too long. I'm ready to curl up under the blanket and swaddled myself in nice, warm clothes.

I'm also ready for Halloween, costumes, trick or treating with my boys - and the best part? The pumpkin patch!

Kit: Autumn Air Elements and Papers by Spinky Dink Scraps

So Very Very Proud

2010-09-04T02:08:00.019-05:00

Tyler has taken to his TaeKwonDo lessons far better than I ever expected him to. But, he's doing positively wonderful with it. He just earned his Tiger Cub Brown Belt, and I don't think he could have been any more proud of himself!

Kit: Delightful Day by Spinky Dink Scraps

Slowly Catching Up

2010-08-23T20:14:00.000-05:00

Eeks! The past week and a half have been extremely busy - even with only three classes, I already feel like I'm swimming. The reading isn't too hard, yet {though maybe a bit boring...I already know far more than I ever cared to know about the history of England}, but I do feel like I barely have time to sleep, much less do anything fun or productive {and a quick glance at our laundry pile will serve as proof of that}! I did get an opportunity to do a speed scrap with Scrap Orchard a week or so ago, and had a LOT of fun:

Credit: Peanut by Amanda Heimann Designs and Simply Scraps

It's hard to believe that sweet little baby is already 4 and a half years old! Time is flying by far too fast, and unfortunately, it's not going to slow down, either.

Gotta Grab It @ Gotta Pixel

2010-08-14T18:07:00.000-05:00

It's Gotta Grab It time at Gotta Pixel, and Spinky Dink Scraps' contribution is positively adorable! :)

And, here are two new layouts I created using her goodies. And, for the record, they may be two of my favorite layouts ever. Totally in love with them! :) {of course, it's hard not to create beautiful things when the kit you're working with is so wonderful!}

Speed Scrapping

2010-08-12T10:56:00.000-05:00

I gave speed scrapping a try this past week, and was quite surprised at how much I enjoyed it. The premise is simple - you create a new layout using the 6 instructions given {1 step is given every 10 minutes for an hour, and you have another hour to complete and upload your layout}. I don't normally create on such a tight schedule, but I was up for the challenge! Here are my first two results:

Credit: May Mega Sampler Kit by the Inspiration Lane Team

Credit: Chocolatey Goodness by Jen Yurko {Kit, Alphas & Mini Kit}

Inspiration Lane will be holding several more speed scraps throughout the month as they continue to celebrate their 2nd birthday - so be sure to hit up the forums for times and join us in the chatroom for chatting and scrapping. :)

Alien Invasion

2010-08-11T10:50:00.000-05:00

Spinky Dink Scraps has three new packs, called Alien Invasion, available right now as part of the Grab-A-Byte event at Scrapbook Bytes. And, they are ADORABLE! The packs are on sale this week {$1 for the Alpha and Papers and $2 for the elements}, so be sure to stock up fast!

Here are two new layouts I created using these amazing goodies. And for the record? I am LOVING these layouts! :)

Getting Prepared

2010-08-08T12:45:00.000-05:00

I start back to school in just 8 days. I don't think I've quite grasped that idea totally, but the part that I have grasped? Has me utterly petrified. I'm not good in social situations, never have been - and though I'm not going to earn friends, I'm nervous about being around so many people on such a consistent basis. I've been spoiled the past 4 and a half years. My anti-social personality has been very comfortable sitting at home playing with my boys. This is certainly going to be a shock to my system.

I've tried making the best of it, though. My mom, boys and I spent most of yesterday out shopping, picking up school books and shoes and clothes {it was our state's tax free weekend, after all}. I also picked up a divine new laptop yesterday.

It's the first laptop I've ever owned, and getting used to the new keyboard and ridiculously confusing mouse system is going to take a fair amount of practice. It also means getting used to Windows 7 {I'm not big on change - I'm still using Windows XP on my desktop}.

It's the closest I've gotten to being excited about school so far, lol.

Celebrating 2

2010-08-02T14:54:00.001-05:00

Inspiration Lane is turning 2 this month, which means incredible sales and specials for us to enjoy, and lots of wonderful challenges and games and chats to participate in {they have a lovely array of monthly challenges already, but are adding more in celebration of their birthday}. I'm hoping it means I get a lot more layouts done, because I've been a bit lazy the past week or two :)

My first challenge for this month was an easy one: the word art challenge. It worked especially well for me, since Hayden just turned two earlier this year.

Credit: ABC's of You by Wild Dandelion Designs

Finally scrapping our 4th

2010-08-01T17:42:00.000-05:00

I finally found time to finish two more pages from our July 4th fireworks adventure. I'm super happy with them! :D

Credit: Independent Love by Roseytoes Designs

Mommy's Little Men

2010-07-31T09:44:00.001-05:00

Credit: Little Mister Wonderful by Connie Prince

My first Spinky Dink Scraps Layout

2010-07-29T17:51:00.002-05:00

This layout was chosen at Layout of the Day for 7.29 at Gotta Pixel. Talk about making a girl feel proud!

Credit: Sea Spray by Spinky Dink Scraps

Sharing a Secret

2010-07-28T12:07:00.000-05:00

The official announcement was made on Monday, but I'm running extremely far behind this week. :)

I'm very excited to announce that I've been offered a permanent position on the Creative Team for an amazing designer, Spinky Dink Scraps. It is an incredible honor, and one I take great pride in.

She has two amazing stores. One at Gotta Pixel and one at Scrapbook-Bytes.

If you're looking for some incredible new kits to create with, I highly suggest giving her stores a look. I dare you not to find at least a half dozen goodies that instantly make your "wish list" :)

Some of her recent kits that I love:

We've yet to start potty training Hayden. I think our experience with

Tyler has us a bit gun shy. But when we do? This kit will be a must!

For all of your wonderful beach/vacation pictures {like the tons I have from

last year that I've barely begun to think about scrapping}

Putting my cooking skills to the test

2010-07-27T11:48:00.000-05:00

I've been on a Mexican food kick lately. It's more the sour cream, guacamole and salsa that's been calling my name, but I've gladly accompanied them with delicious taco, salads and quesadillas.

This past weekend, I thought I'd give a few Mexican recipes a try {because cooking food at home is far cheaper than going to a restaurant all the time, lol}. It all turned out delicious! Kyle was a bit unsure of my food choices to begin with {he says he has never been a huge fan of pico de gallo}, but has already made me promise that they'll be a part of our dinners again very soon.

pico de gallo:

guacamole:

mexican rice:

My Grumpy Boy

2010-07-25T09:26:00.000-05:00

Hayden is cute and sweet and smart and incredibly funny. But, sometimes he's also grumpy. Very, very grumpy {especially when he doesn't get his way}. :)

Credit: Bionic Boy by Roseytoes Designs and Designs by Jen Yurko!

My Boys & a Freebie

2010-07-24T14:56:00.000-05:00

One of Roseytoes Designs' latest creations, I {heart} Scrapbooking is currently my favorite kit. It's not the normal colors I prefer to scrap with, but it's so adorable, I can't seem to get enough of it! Which is why that's the kit I chose to use when creating my very first free QP. Enjoy! :)

Download Here

Roseytoes Designs Grand Opening Sale!

2010-07-24T14:40:00.001-05:00

Roseytoes Designs has opened a new store at Enchanted Studio Scraps, and to celebrate, she's having a huge sale:

click the ad below to visit her brand new store

Yucky germs

2010-07-19T12:14:00.000-05:00

Oh, what a week! It started last Tuesday with Tyler developing a sudden fever after TaeKwonDo, followed the next evening by a very sore throat. I took him to see his pediatrician Thursday morning, fearing strep {the inside of his mouth looked painfully horrible}, but luckily is was only a viral infection. I should have known Hayden would get sick, they're glued to each other as much as possible during the day. Yet, his sudden fever Friday night took both Kyle and me by surprise.

Hayden's sore throat was far worse, on all of us. He's still too young to tell us what hurts, and too young to understand when we tell him that eating a pop-tart is NOT going to help any. That meant our weekend was one long, vicious cycle:

Hayden requests a certain food
Any attempts to explain that the requested food will be too hard to eat/swallow are met with screams
We cave and give him the food he asks for
He chews the food, but realizes it hurts far too much to swallow
He proceeds to spit/dribble the food all over himself and the floor and then scream for 5-10 minutes
Once he calms down, he asks for the same food again

We all survived, though, thanks to lots of Tylenol and a decent stock of frozen popsicles.

Good thing, too. I had already decided if he woke up in the same mood today, he was going to Grandma's house. :)

at the Waffle House Tuesday morning, before the "fun" began

Little Mister Wonderful

2010-07-15T21:53:00.000-05:00

It's been nearly three months since Hayden turned 2, which is completely crazy. Seems like only yesterday I was preparing for my trip to the hospital for his c-section. I ran across a few pictures from his family birthday celebration, and loved the look on his face so much I had to scrap a few of them. Look at the happiness on his face in the left picture. Absolutely precious! :)

Credit: My Little Mister by Shawna Clingerman and Micheline Martin

Remember This Day

2010-07-14T15:09:00.000-05:00

I am in love with the new July Mega Sampler at Inspiration Lane. It's huge, and colorful and very versatile. I've shown one layout with it already {Playing Cards}, and finished my second one up this morning. I haven't been digital scrapping for long, but I'm already completely in love. I spend as much time as I can scrape together each day, with my face buried in PSP working away. I even gave up a chance at a nap today, and that's saying a lot. :)

Credit: July Mega Sampler by the creative Inspiration Lane team

Living My Dream

2010-07-13T23:55:00.001-05:00

Credit: Remember When by ScrapShana

Water Hose War

2010-07-13T20:42:00.001-05:00

Tyler and Hayden LOVE playing with the water hose. It's one of our go-to activities when it's hot outside and the kids are begging to play. Roseytoes' mini kit for this month's Mini Madness challenge at Inspiration Lane worked perfectly to scrap pictures of our most recent water hose war.

Playing Cards

2010-07-13T13:26:00.000-05:00

After our 4th of July lunch, my mom, Kyle and I sat down to play a few games of dominoes and cards. It didn't take Tyler long before he was asking to play along. He didn't have a clue what he was doing {daddy helped him}, but he sure had fun trying!

Credit: Inspiration Lane Team's July 2010 Mega Sampler

Rock On!

2010-07-12T09:22:00.000-05:00

Hayden loves music - listening to it, dancing to it, trying his best to sing to it. But, he's got a rock and roll soul. Pictures can't quite capture the sound of his singing, but they do show how serious he takes it. "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star" has never sounded quite like this:

Credit: Time to Rock by Dani Alencar

July 4th

2010-07-11T11:08:00.001-05:00

Trying to get around to scrapping some of the July 4th pictures I took...I'm mighty happy with the first page!

Credit: Red White and Blue by Lindsay Jane

Be You

2010-07-09T10:35:00.002-05:00

Credit: Wonderfully Weird by Geek Chic Scraps

Branching Out

2010-07-09T10:19:00.001-05:00

I've been enjoying the Inspiration Lane challenges so much, I decided to branch out and try a few more. My first new endeavor? A Chickie Challenge from TheDigiChick. I was a little late turning my results in {what can I say, I didn't even find the challenge until nearly an hour after the deadline passed}, but I enjoyed playing along anyway. Maybe I'll be on time for the next challenge. :)

Credit: Captured by Karen Lewis

Funny Face & Waterpark Fun

2010-07-09T09:42:00.002-05:00

Another Inspiration Lane Challenge is done for July. This time it's the Techniques and Trends challenge, which challenges you to stay up to date on the latest digi scrapping styles. My results {which I am absolutely in love with, in case you were wondering}:

Credit: Blue Skies Smiling by Misty Cato

and

Credit: Fresh Blooms Collab Kit by Roseytoes Designs and Serene by RW

July Colors to Inspire You Challenge

2010-07-06T18:09:00.004-05:00

The Inspiration Lane challenges are in full swing again this month, and I can't wait to have a go at some of them. My first completed challenge for this month was the Colors to Inspire you challenge, hosted by Roseytoes Designs. She offered an add-on to her A Dog Says Woof kit, but I used a few items from the main kit as well.

I am so incredibly pleased with how it turned out! Roseytoes is very talented, so of course the product I worked with was marvelous. This may just be my favorite page right now. :)

Credit: A Dog Says Woof by Roseytoes Designs

Squeezing in one last page

2010-06-30T17:03:00.002-05:00

It's the end of the month, but I had to squeeze in one last challenge at Inspiration Lane. I've had so much fun doing these challenges this month, and look forward to giving some a go for July. The ladies there are so sweet, they make it fun to play along! :)

Credit: Cafe Vienna Mega Kit by Inspiration Lane

Lego Play

2010-06-30T15:54:00.003-05:00

Yet another monthly challenge from Inspiration Lane that I had to take advantage of.

Credit: Simple Pleasures blog giveaway from Sweet Shoppe Designs

New Blue Belt

2010-06-30T15:34:00.004-05:00

Eeks, I can't believe I went two weeks between scrap pages. Life's just been so busy, though, I've been hard pressed to find enough continuous quiet time to sit at the computer and work on something new. I had to scrap a picture of Tyler's new Tiger Cub Blue Belt, though. I think it turned out rather lovely :)

Lego Creations

2010-06-30T11:40:00.001-05:00

My mom kept the boys a few weeks ago while Kyle and I had a much deserved date night.

While Kyle and I were enjoying a yummy trip to Mellow Mushroom and thenew A-Team movie, Tyler was discovering the joy of small Lego blocks.

We've had several packs of Mega Bloks and Wooden Blocksover the years, that both boys have enjoyed playing with for hours at atime, but even at 4, I hadn't quite considered Tyler as old enough forLego building sets. Boy, was I wrong. My mom had a small pack of30-40 Legos that came from a gift bag she'd purchased months ago, andhad allowed Tyler and Hayden to have a go with them. She said Tylerwas instantly in love, so we made a quick toy run a few days later andpurchased him his first few sets of Lego blocks.

He'll sit at the table for hours at a time, building and pretending and having a blast. Money well spent :)

Water Fountain Playdate

2010-06-21T11:40:00.002-05:00

The boys and I enjoyed a play date with some friends last Thursday. We went to Bridgestreet Town Centreand played in the water fountains. Hayden slipped and fell twice {mypoor, accident prone child}, but overall, everyone had a blast.

Better than a superhero

2010-06-16T14:29:00.003-05:00

I'm LOVING the scrap challenges at Inspiration-Lane! They offer tons of inspiration each month, which is great for beginning digital scrappers like me. My latest challenge page:

Truth is, one simple scrap page {or a book filled to the brim} could never fully explain the love Tyler and Hayden have for each other. It's so very sweet to see them playing together, laughing together, hugging and kissing and enjoying childhood together. I'm biased, I know, but I think they're absolutely adorable! I sure am blessed.

My little sandman

2010-06-12T11:18:00.005-05:00

It's hard to believe it's been a year since our family beach trip {and therefore, a year since all hell broke loose. I haven't spoken to my sister for a over a year, thanks to that trip}. Kyle, the boys, my mom and I had such a wonderful time. It's not in the budget this year, but I'm hoping to make it back soon - Hayden wasn't quite old enough to really enjoy the sand and water last year.

another Inspiration Lane challenge page

Credit: In The Swim of Things by Jen Yurko

TaeKwonDo

2010-06-10T11:38:00.004-05:00

Tyler's TaeKwonDo reward ceremony was last night, and he earned hisTiger Cub Blue Belt. We're so proud of him! And he is so proud ofhimself! :)

Finding Inspiration

2010-06-09T22:56:00.004-05:00

I have fallen in love with the monthly challenges at Inspiration Lane. I'm generally a very shy person online, but I'm trying to branch out of my normal comfort zone and be a bit more vocal. The lovely ladies there have made that so easy. I haven't been posting on their forums for long, but the welcome I received was heartwarming. And, their selection of monthly challenges? Awesome!

Credit: Unseen Friends by Jen Yurko

Credit: Music To My Ears AddOn by Roseytoes Designs

Overload

2010-06-06T15:40:00.001-05:00

Creating scrap pages has been super fun. I need to find a way to print them out - I have a rather new printer, but paper style/weight/etc is all so new to me...and let's not even talk about the online printing options. It's a bit overwhelming. For now, though, I've been in scrap page overload. :)

Credit: Mayhem by Bella Gypsy

Credit: May Daily Download Sampler by Inspiration Lane Team

Credit: Whale of a Good Time by Connie Prince

Scrapping my life

2010-05-30T12:15:00.003-05:00

I've been buying and collecting digital scrap kits for years now, but for the most part, they've simply collected dust on my hard drive. I'm trying, hard, to change that.

I need lots of practice, obviously, but I sure am enjoying myself!

Credit: Chick Magnet Collab by Connie Prince and Armina Designs