Aqua Flamingo

Starting off with my challenge results...

Just to make it easy. So here they are in alpha order...

SAY IT IN SCRAP

The challenge was to use the phrase "Oh no she di'int" as a starting point for a layout. I have hardly anything like that that I hadn't scrapped already. And even though I have scrapped this picture before, I hadn't told the particular story about why my birdie Kramer (who is a girl) didn't like my son & why it was shocking when she actually landed on his shoulder.

SCRAP MOJO

The challenge was to take a titlefrom one of the School House Rock songs and use it on your layout making sure to add glitter on the page. There are so many different titles that I could apply to different pictures and stories. After A LOT of thought, I finally settled on "3 is a magic #". I think I just wanted to use it while I could.

The stitching was inspired by a layout by Michelle Clement. For some reason it stuck in my head and I had to do it. I did glitter the 3 and the brads with stickles. Oh, and the little red dots are stickles, too.

The scrapstars layout I haven't even come close to finishing, yet. I have definitely got to get busy.

Onto other things...

Yesterday was so busy!

The usual stuff at home... laundry, dishes, floor cleanings.

We went to the park down the street from our house after school. I got some pictures of the youngest 4 playing around at the park. They all eventually would up trying to make a sand castle and moat setup. And the toddler girl was enamored with a younger 14 month old who followed her around trying to copy everything she did. CUTE!

Notice the sparkly silver shoes my toddler is wearing?  They are the new faves of hers. It took almost all summer to get her out of boots and into something else. She picked these out at the store. I have got to quit letting her pick out her own shoes.;) I won't stop doing that. I think my kids LOVE being able to pick out their own things. I wouldn't want to take that away from them...

But, I digress...

We only had 30 minutes at the park. Everyone was disappointed with that, but we had homework and other things to do before we had to leave again at 5:30.

SO, the backstory first... My fifth Grader (aka my youngest son) has decided to play Cello in orchestra. His ultimate goal is to play guitar. But, he wants to learn to read music and get the feel for playing an instrument before diving into guitar lessons. So, cello it is.

Last night, we went to music rental night and got a cello and his music book. He starts tomorrow morning. (I hope they deliver the cello in time.) He is so excited. I really hope he enjoys this. I want him to achieve his goal of moving over to guitar in another year or two. The orchestra teacher seems so nice and laid back. That's FANTASTIC! (The band teacher is such a #%^*&! But, that's another story for another time.)

Oh, and I had some time, so I went to visit myspace. I saw new pics of my nephew. He's looking less and less like my brother to me. And I went to try to message to people, and it's like the whole thing freezes. So, I have messages in my head for people, and cannot get them out. I'm hoping to try it later today. Just in case any of you are reading over her... I hope things are going well. I'm going to try messaging later.

Another, OH... I got the new Dozens kit!!! Michelle Clements' papers and stamp ROCK! I want to make so many things with that paper, but I am also hoarding it. What to do, what to do. The rest of the kit so rocks, too. I need to get some pictures printed and get to work using it. I hear it calling my name!

Still thinking about switching around the blog decor. I haven't decided on what specifically yet... but ideas are churning.

Later...

So many things

so VERY little time. I have just been sliding in an avalanche of things that need to be done.

My oldest is so busy with football and work. So, he hasn't been helping much around here, but I don't blame him for being busy.

My middle boy is doing magazine sales. He's determined to get 10 subs for his school's fundraiser. He is about 2/3 of the way there. I am supposedly having meetings this week with his teachers, but I haven't heard anything more from him about that.

My youngest boy, my oldest girl and my middle girl all has assessments last week. They had Thursday & Friday off for the testing. I got lucky enough to have everyone on the same day, but unlucky enough that they all had different times. PITA!

Then I think we have finally had everyone that was going to be sick actually be sick. PHEW! It was a long week with the rotation of who was who getting sick. I think we only had 2 who are not getting sick this time. WOO HOO!  (I hope I'm not speaking too soon about this...)

I have been offered an opportunity to be on a Design Team for an online magazine. I am so tempted to do this. I want to so bad. It's something I have been working for. If I make it, I am going to be about 50x busier than I am now.  Very nervous about the whole thing.

Last week's Project Catwalk was fun. After watching last week's Project Runway episode, I was half expecting to have to run out and buy sequins. But the challenge was totally opposite from what the episode was about...

THE CHALLENGE: OK, last night's episode was pretty fun, but I really don't want to make a challenge where you have to create something so outrageous and over the top that you really would never wear it...I mean display it. :) So I thought about going the opposite way...I want you to make a layout, either 8 1/2 x 11 or 12x12 that has a lot of impact but few supplies. This is something that I do a lot. I may not use a lot of things on my layout, but I always try to create drama with either the colors (using high contrast is one way to create high impact), a truly stunning photo, or just items that are interesting to me.

WHAT I DID: I went through my stack of pictures and paper. I came across this little set of one paper and the one picture I wanted to use with it. From there, it was finding something to embellish, title, and add a little something. It was much harrder trying to keep it simple instead of going all out with deco galore.

MY RESULT:

I think the most complicated thing about this whole layout was outlining the letters and designs on the surf board.

So simple, yet so hard to keep it that way.

I am trying to work on some challenges at scrap mojo, say it in scrap, and scrap stars. It's slow going right now though. I guess my saving grace is that the layouts aren't due until the end of the week.

I think my blog is headed towards bored ville. I have got to change things around again. Not sure when. Not sure to what, but definitely ideas running through my mind.

I hope everyone is doing well. I hope those of you with the first day of school today are enjoying your days. And too all those expecting moms out there, hope you all are doing well, too.

LATER!

Feels like Fall...

It really does. Highs in the 70s to low 80s. School is in full swing. We have already had our first sick kid of the school year. Football season is in full swing on Friday.

So many things going on, yet nothing new really. My main job is keeping the toddler girl happy and content through her 8 hours of boredom a day. Today we went down to the park (even though she's whining that she diesn't feel well). She had fun. But, she did say as we were walking back... "It's not so much fun when there's no one to play with." :( My poor girl. I so feel for her. All she talks about is when someone comes home, or how about we drive down to visit Baby *cousin*. 

The best news is that the younger group of kids don't really have school on Thurs or Friday. Evaluation days at school. Great for the toddler whose best friends are going to be home (with the exception of 30 minutes each for their eval). I only hope I get time to get my scrap on for Project Catwalk tomorrow.

Speaking of which... (nice segway right?)... ;)... I didn't post last week's challenge and results. So here we go...

THE CHALLENGE: Create a wall hanging that is at least 4x6 using denim. You may use other supplies, but denim must be the primary supply used. Any theme, any other colors.

WHAT I DID: I took on old pair of jeans that each of my girls have worn and outgrown and used those as my denim. I had a 5 x 7 block of wood that was an old UGLY wall hanging that I got at the Target Dollar Spot a few years ago. I covered the block with one of the legs of the jeans. I sparkled the pink ruffle at the bottom of it. I placed buttons around the edge of the top of the block. I took some tiny thin strips of denim and threaded through a few of the buttons first. I took some more strips and used as little knots and decor on top of the buttons. I used the seems of the jeans to make the ruffles around the outer edge of the block. I made a fan (flower half) design with a piece of the other leg. I made another ruffley design in between the pink ruffles. I cut the word "family" out of cardstock using the Cricut. And lastly, I added an older picture that I had of all six kids.

MY RESULT:






I am pretty proud of this one still. (And it's been a week!) I have never made a wall hanging like this before. Not on this sort of over decorated scale before. I think the one thing I want to change about is take off the older picture and add a newer one. Maybe remove the word "family", too.

Well, off to play with the toddler again. She has finally finished lunch.

Later...

Yes, I still exist!

I thought for sure when school started up again, I would have more time to scrap, post, whatever.

I WAS WRONG!

Miss Toddler girl has been almost in my pocket everyday. Keeping her occupied has been one heck of a job. I just feel so badly for her being alone. And classes (like dance or gymnastics) aren't starting up until late September/October. So, we have about another month and a half of pure boredom.

We have been keeping busy... we watch Hannah every morning. We have been working on writing her name and just coloring and drawing. We have been shopping. She has her eyes on some neat stuff for her birthday and Christmas.

Right now, she is about to sleep, so I thought I would catch everyone up.

SO last week's project catwalk... I would have posted those sooner, but by the time I can take pictures, the clouds have come back around, so there's no light. Today, I had some light to retake the pictures of my album, but my hloder did not want to be still. Especially when she noticed she was in there getting stuck behind the couch. (Wait until you see the look on her face...LOL)

THE CHALLENGE:This week you get to use three colors to create a mini album. Can you guess what the colors are???

Red, white and blue!!!!

The mini-album must be at least 4 pages and it must include at least 4 of the following words:
perseverance
glory
strength
determination
honor
brave
friendship
team
solidarity
competition

WHAT I DID: I used the words and applied them to my kids. I don't know anyone in the military. I have no favorite for president, so it was what I came up with.

MY RESULTS:

 
So, I am not too hapy with this mini album. I know I can do better. But, with getting ready for back to school and making sure everyone had everything they needed, I just didn't have the time to sit and really work on it.

This week was school for everyone. The oldest started his SENIOR year Tuesday. I cannot believe he'll be graduating in 9 months. Second oldest started middle school. I still remember him with those tweetybird cheeks and hair. Third oldest is in fifth grade this year. He was so looking forward to school this year. That is such a big deal to me, since before he hated school with a passion. My oldest girl is a thrid grader. I stll remember the day she was born. When did third grade decide to happen? And my middle girl... Miss first grader. They have got to stop growing. Next thing I know, the toddler will be graduating high school. PANIC!

In the few moments of peace this past weekend, I did do the Scrap Mojo challenge. The whole challenge was based around that famous quote "Say hello to my little friend". I have so many pictures that would fit into that category. I was hard doing just one, but I think I found the perfect one.

{say hello to my little friend}


 
How cute is that teeny tiny baby? She has just turned 2 when this picture was taken. And she still loooks the exact same.

Well, I spent some time re-organizing again. I have gone back to an old way of organizing my scrap projects. Maybe if there's time, I can see if it works better for me. I'm off to live the high life and work on dishes and laundry before the kids get home from school.

You all have got to let me know how you are doing!!!

LATER!

I got extra credit!

In the Project Catwalk competition. I have no idea why I checked there last night, but I'm glad I did.

THE CHALLENGE: Create an ATC card with stitched borders and/or letters.

WHAT I DID: I used a playing card to make the Hambly more sturdy for sewing. I hand drew 3 swirls and the caps letters A-R-T. I poked holes along the lines. And simply backstitched over the lines. I hand drew a birder and added a japanese kitty sticker. I then covered the back with a pice of kitty cat fabric.

MY END RESULT:

Then I got a few pics of the layouts I had done (mostly using the July Dozen's kit). The girls were pestering me to make their pages for their books about the Hannah/Miley Concert. So here are their layouts. They helped by saying what they wanted and what should go where...

{three-d}

The youngest's layout. She wanted the ribbon, she wanted the glasses, and no matter how hard I tried, she insisted on using the star brads. Then the ribbon had to be on one side, the glasses on the other and the pictures in the middle. (She's a very insistant toddler. And it does make it more challenging.)

{concert}

My Middle's only requests for this layout was that there be pruple and sparkles. Easy Peasy! I definitely was allowed more freedom to create. And she LOVED this one!

Then, came my oldest's layout...

She highly 'recommended' pink and something musical. Well, the Daisy D's birthday paper was perfect. I just had to cover the cake. Her only complaint was... "I thought this was my layout. Why are my sisters on here."

This morning was middle school sign ups. The 7th grader was so excited. I think he barely slept. We went, turned in forms, found out that soccer was cancelled due to a lack of interest, and that cooking wasn't until next semester. He was pretty bummed about it all when he got home. (Mostly about the cooking class.) So, we are going to do cake decorating classes or cooking classes at Whole Foods.

No real plans left for the week until the weekend when we finish any last minute school clothing shopping. This may be my last post for the week though, because I have Project Catwalk tomorrow. The hardest part for me in this challenge series, so far, is not posting my results right away.

Later all...

I know it's late in the day...

Well, usually for me to be posting. I like to try and post in the morning. But, today has just been so busy so far.

First, I took my Senior to register for classes. It's just almost like registering for college. Lines, fees, ID cards... Big PAIN! But, he's is ready to go.

Then, I had to register my now first grader, thrid grader and fifth grader. More fees, but no lines. Much easier.

Tomorrow is the new seventh grader's turn. I'm sure more fees, maybe lines??? He is certainly excited to be in Middle School this year. He's going to be able to play Soccer on the team, and he gets to start Cooking classes. I know that last one seems a little weird to most, but he has been wanting to be a chef since he was 2. It is literally his life long dream. So, he is VERY excited about being able to cook at school. It's all he's been talking about since March when sign ups took place.

So, since it's MONDAY, I can post my take on last week's project catwalk challenge.

THE CHALLENGE: This week's challenge is a fun way to show us your style!

I wanna see your "point of view" as a scrapbooker. Are you a bling it up kind of designer or a simply chic designer? This page is about you! Show us who you are!

Create a 12x12 layout using one of the dresses designed this week on Project Runway for your inspiration! I wanna see a picture of you on the layout and journaling about who you are as a scrapbooker!

Project Runway Gallery

WHAT I DID:  My style was bades on Kenley's dress. It wasn't my favorite dress, but the patterned fabric really spoke my name (mostly color with a touch here and there of black). The part I hated most was having to put my picture on it.

I did use the bonus item (October Afternoon alpha stamps).

MY END RESULT:

I hate having my picture on here! I'm only about half happy with this layout.

Well, it's too late to get pics for today. It's getting dark cloudy again. Hopefully this evening there will be enough natural light to get pics of all of the other layouts I have done.

Later...

SO I forgot to post about my weekend...

It was all the excitement from being able to post my card from the challenge. It was a five day wait. And for me that's a long time.

So, Saturday was a big day for the girls. It was HANNAH MONTANA & MILEY CYRUS on Starz/Disney. They had so much fun watching that. And were so amazed by everything 3-D. All three were watching and dancing and singing along. (It must be so cool to have sisters to do that stuff with).

I took a lot of pictures of them. Here are a few...

 

Sunday was also a fun day. My oldest and I went to see Step Brothers. It was disgusting, gross, and so FUNNY! I enjoyed it. I'm not quite sure what part I liked the most, but I can say waht part I liked the least. I would like to share, but I don't want to spoil for anyone wanting to watch, and I try to keep my blog PG at the highest rating.

Then later that night the others saw X-files. They are die hard fans of the series. So, I was surprised that they came home saying the movie was a big let down. I was surprised since I checked the early viewer reviews and most like it... well, a B+. 

I also wanted to share some layouts yesterday. But, by the time I was done with it, it was too picture heavy, so I'll share those today.

Don't be shocked, as it seems I have gone inking happy on these past few layouts...

{first thanksgiving}

 

I used the only sheets of BG Archaic that I had. The colors were too perfect for a Thanksgiving layout. And, so I cut and inked all of the invidual squares. And then layed them back out as they were. A lot of work for no real reason. Just something different. Oh, and in case it looks weird, I ran out of the letter g in that font/color of AC Thickers, so I used the #9 as a replacement. I think it looks good.

Then there's a page I made for an album I'm working on about our recent trip.

{nice to gnome you}

It was definitely something different to see those little gnomes across the garden. hmmm... as I am sitting here typing, I'm thinking I should have titled it some thing like...  rollin' with the gnomies. Another little mthing my mind come up with for no reason.
 
Well, I'm off for today. I am trying to decide if I am going to apply for a few things or not. I want to, but not sure if I should. Later...

My first post in a week...

And it's killing me that I cannot post more than that. I just don't want to goof and post my Project Catwalk stuff early. I would wind up getting myself disqualified.

Since I can, I'll post my week 2 results.

THE CHALLENGE... (copied and pasted from the message board)

Create a card primarily using the color green. The card can be for any occasion and any size. Here's the catch, to make your card you must use the outer clear celophane packaging from an item like Thickers (you can use any of the clear outer packaging you have on hand). Also you must use a piece of newspaper to create a matching envelope for the card!

HERE IS WHAT I DID...

The front of the card...

I used the top of the packaging from a pack of felt thickers. I inserted stickles into the top portion for glitter.

The section with the thickers name opens up, so I took that board and wove different scraps of green papers and placed it back in.

The other section (that previously held letters) I cut 1/3 off of. I mixed 3 colors of green stickles and mushed and swriled them around. I used a piece of green trim and some white thread I died lime with stamping ink and sewed the edge.

The clover on the front is an origami one I made with some old Basic Grey.

The inside of the card...

I made an origami heart (or 1/4th of the clover)from the same sheet of Basic grey that I used for the clover, and attached it on the inside cover.

I doodled the frame and writing lines.

The envelope...

The envelpoe window was made from the remaining thickers packaging sparkled with the 3 stickles colors.

I colorwashed the sheet of newspaper with a paint water mix. I then cut and tore strips and attached to an envelope form that I cut out.

To coordinate the envelope, I sewed some more homemade lime ribbon and the green trim around the window.

I took the bonus item and made a little bow for the envelope.

So, This one really killed me. I am SO NOT a card maker. But, here it is...

WARNING!: LOTS OF PICTURES AHEAD

So, here is my oldest holding the card.

Then she's holding the envelope open so you can see the glittering on the window.


Here is my youngest holding the card and envelope. She wanted to help, but not be seen. FUNNY!

Here is the bonus item... the turquoise felt... I made a bow for the envelope.

 

Here is an even closer up of the homemade thread and glittered window.


I think I have about 15 different shades of green on this card. The clover was fun to make.


Card close-up #2.


I wish the sparkles would show up better in pictures.


Inside of the card...


The back side of the envelope.


Hope you enjoyed my card. It was fun to do, but I think I still SUCK at card making. (Notice the wording on the card... Hokey as usual...OY!)

Wednesday, the new challenge for this week goes up. I have a few layouts I want to get posted tomorrow. To cloudy out now to take pics.

Oh, and getting ready for school. We are 15 days away. I have almost all the supplies, and clothes are nothing major until it gets colder out.

Hope you all had a good week end. Later.

another MEGA post... and more

Thanks to everyone sending wonderful comments. (HI AMANDA!!!  Haven't seen you in so long!)

So, on to my post...

First I'll start with my SIS Project Catwalk layout...

The challenge was to use 2 products from this list on a layout.

coffee filters
garbage bags
balloons
vinyl table cloth
vinyl shower curtain
vaccum bag
mop top
fly swatter
paper towel
cupboard liner (rubber kind)
bouncy ball

So, I wound up using 3 of the list items:

Garbage bag: I cut the bag into strips and used it to sew the bottom half of the border.

Cupboard Liner: (green and blue floral) I used for textured paper under the journal/title.

Paper Towel: I spritzed some Glimmer Mist on the towel and covered a piece of cardstock to use as the backgorund paper.

And, I did use the bonus item: The orange/tan felt was used as the top half of the border.

So, enough with the explaining...

{mermaid}

Then a few close ups:

I completed about 6 other layouts this weekend. Most were done while the boys went to see Batman.

I finished the Category Stories layout. The challenge was to scrap about a childhood icon. So, I chose...

{bugs bunny}

Oh, Mr Bugs Bunny, I do still love you so. While I was doing this layout, I was thinking about how I always sort of knew that goofy, smart ass men were my chosen mates. All of them fall into this category. Even the ones on my "list".  I have no idea why I never associated this before.

Oh, and another thing... when I was 5, I had planned on marrying Bugs Bunny. We were going to have a lot of baby bunnies. And I was going to buy them a pool so we could swim.

I was an imaginative 5 year old.

Onto ScrapStars...

Summertime was the challenge. Do a layout around something that reflects summer. For us...

{summertime}

"Until someone is ambushed in a water fight, it's just not SUMMERTIME."

Lots of glitter and metallic paint on the paisleys. (The paisley's make me think of water drops)

Then I also added in a few embroidery stitches...

Then a few random layouts...

{circle butt}

Yes, that was her real name. She was such a sweet puppy!

{skully shoes}

 

All about how the Princess (aka my oldest daughter) picked shoes with skulls on them. It really surprised me that she thought they were cool beyond the pink and bling.

The Love, Elsie skully stamp was perfect for this. I used it with paint again. The close up of the pattern of the shoes was perfect for the titling block. The skull die cut is from the Indie Art cart (again I'm using it). Oh, and of course I had to add some bling to match the toes of her shoes.

I think that's it for now. I have laundry today (oooo laundry...BORING). The only good thing about doing laundry is the in between time that I have to get some creative things or cleaning done. I don't have to sit there on top of it.

No reports on Batman. Just that all of the boys REALLY LOVED IT! No one is allowed to talk about it around me. I like to start a movie freshly with knowing as little as possible about it. I am almost an expert at avoiding everything to not know details about something. It's work, but it's so worth it.

Later...

Oh, if you are here looking for my results for the challenges for...

So Tell me Your story; How Much is Too much, OLW...

scroll down one post. :D

ETA...

I WON A CHALLENGE! Over at the Dozen's kit blog, they posed a list challenge. So, I entered my 8 things at 8 layout, and WON! I am a little floored as I never expect to win. Just a reminder of which layout it is...

{8 things at 8}

MEGA CHALLENGE POST

OK, I have had a really boring week. So 2 days ago I decided to participate in all of the current challenges... So, I have one done... the Scrap Mojo one...

Then I worked on this one for about 3 hours (it was all of the painting).  It's for the So Tell Me Your Story challenge blog. I had to do something about my name...

{donna.}

journaling: I was thisclose to being named Jennifer. But at the last minute, my mom decided to name me after her close friend, Donna Cook. It was a nice thing, but I can't stand being saddled with... donna.

I'm OK with my name, but I really don't think it fits me. (especially coupled with my middle name) I don't think I'm a jennifer either. Not sure what name would work though.

(NOTE: The painting was all watercolor paints. The nontexted areas were with twinkling h2os by Luminarte. And the areas with text were done with watercolor pencils.)

The next one was for OLW (One Little Word)...

{if.}

I used one sheet of 12 x 12 American crafts. I tore it into 1/3 and 2/3 portions, then reattached them. Then cut it to 8 1/2 x 11. VIOLA coordinating solid and pattern paper. It's odd that I don't have a picture on a layout (well, for me anyway). I'm happy with the way it came out.

The next one is for How Much Is Too Much...

{fireworks}


I am so happy we got to go somewhere to enjoy the fireworks shows. The first time in about 2 years that we got to go out and enjoy(cancelled due to severe drought one year, and then loads of rain the next). Return of the tradition!

I also did a layout for the SIS Project Catwalk challenge (based on Project Runway). But, I cannot share that one until next week. :(

I am working on the category stories challenge. I am in search of the perfect picture to use. And of course, scrap stars, too. Still looking for the perfect picture for that one. I still need to check scrapjacked and unpubbed for their newest, but the plan is to do those as well.

Not much more going on around here. Batman is the big story around here for half of the house. Hannah Montana is the other half.

I went to see Get Smart the other night. I really liked that one. It was FUNNY! Definitely one for the DVD shelf. And then I got a small gift the other night. The SNL 2006-2007 season on DVD. The one that was kicked off by Dane Cook on my birthday. It was a great surprise. I had been dying to see a few episodes from that year (esp. the Justin Timberlake one with Homelessville and the BeeGee's interview show), too. So, I think I'm going to watch those today. I still have to watch Lars and the Real Girl, and a few others as well. Something to do to beat the heat.

Hope you all have a good weekend!  

(and just a quick PS... I removed my paper scrap tag. Just about everyday I post something under that and that tag was just getting way too big.)