Felt Layout

I love these pictures from a fall day a few years ago. When I found my felt for this week's Practical Scrapper's Challenge, I knew exactly which picture I wanted to use with it. Using felt on my pages is new to me. I've used some other fabrics before, but I had no idea how much texture and depth felt would add to my page. I'm a disappointed with the LO pic, b/c it looks so much better in person. Regardless, this was a fun LO and I'm so glad Christine had Felt on our list of challenges!

Fun Card

I'm excited about this birthday card for a few reasons. I love the paper I used - Paper Studio I think. Nothing too fancy really, it's not even very heavy, but it worked. Using the cricut was fun, of course. But I'm really happy with the sentiment. I'm beginning to have more confidence in the ability of my own penmanship. This result was good encouragement for me.

Scrapsketch / Practical Scrappers Challenge

This weekend at Practical Scrapperswe have partnered with Scrapsketchfor a challenge to create a layout based on a sketch from Stephanie. I'm all about being inspired by other layouts, but I rarely follow a sketch as closely as I tried here. It was fun to challenge myself in this way!

I shifted the sketch vertically so that I could use these photos from Easter of 08. I love how sweet and happy my babies look in these! Overall I'm pleased with how it turned out. Try your hand at the sketch too and enter it in the challenge at PS today - we have until 10:00 PM CST!

Mimi and the Aunts get Press

This is my layout for Practical Scrapper's challenge to use letter stickers creatively. It was definitley a challenge! :)

One day Sophie started calling my mom 'Mimi.' This caught on quickly (though my dad couldn't remember what the name was.. "Fufu?") and, anyway, Mom's sisters loved it too. My mom and her sisters enjoy getting together as regularly as they can - there are 5 of them plus some outlaws and cousins depending on who is in town. Add these facts to their love of music, and we stumbled upon 'Mimi and the Aunts.'

Children, brothers, the old and the young, lovingly refer to my mom and her sisters as Mimi and the Aunts. And since they are all 'Mimi's,' they happily respond.

This picture was taken at the annual Memorial Day gathering of McCabes about a week after Clare was born. The Aunts were more than happy to pose for a picture with the newest member of the family. :)

Simple Punches

Practical Scrappers challenge this week is to use simple punches. I don't have many, so I was a little intimidated. This was the second card made in my attempts, and while other designers got more creative with their circles, I'm pleased with how it turned out. I will have to harrass my brother about buying it from me for his new bride, since I used the ribbon from their wedding! ;)

Our Family - Lift

This weekend Practical Scrapper's wanted to see our Lifts from PS. Well, what a great excuse to proceed with one that I've been wanting to do. This LO is lifted from Christine, but I've been wanting to do a big circle for a while.

This picture is one of my favorites of all time. It was taken last year at a cousin's wedding. Love the colors, love that it's all of us, love that we were having so much fun.

The sentiment about family is one that my mom has had hanging in her living room since before I was married. I'm sure the words are used frequently, but I can't get past how true they are.

Inspiration

Challenges are the best! This was my creation for Practical Scrappers challenge to use stamps. I don't have a LOT of stamps, so I was trying to approach things with fresh perspective. This is actually a Close to My Heart set that I haven't really had for that long. I love it and have been looking for a reason to play with it. Then, I stumbled upon a card in a card book - card by Summer Fullerton in the January issue of CARDS - that was set up with the circles and a stamp, sortof like this. Normally I wouldn't have given it a second look - it wasn't really my style - but the other night I knew I could use it to my advantage. I love my results! The process is such an important part for me. If I have a breakthrough concerning my approach or materials, I am happy, even if the layout or card isn't groundbreaking. It's all about the process!!