it's been a while

Seems like forever since I actually did a layout. Though the picture I took of this layout came out awfully wonky, I actually like the layout a lot. And for the most part, I used stuff I had scattered atop my scrapping table. Bad, bad me. I'm supposed to clean up after every project, but I haven't been following my own rules. I figured using up bits and scraps would save a little on the clean up...plus it just feels so darn good to use up scraps, doesn't it?

Nothing fancy here. Flowers cut from patterned paper. Stamped bees covered with paper glaze. Hand stitched bee trail.

an almost birthday present

I wanted to make Rich a mini album that he can keep in his office at work. Nothing fancy, just a picture of each of the kids. Now, this was supposed to be a gift for his birthday, but as so often happens, once I got it made I just couldn't wait to give it to him!

Anyway, it's nothing fancy, but I still think it came out pretty cute. I just covered the pieces of a dumb little jigsaw puzzle that one of the kids got in a kid meal at some fast food joint when we were on a trip somewhere. Love being able to make use of something that would have otherwise been hauled off by the trash/recycle man. Added bonus, I just used scraps I had strewn around my scrap table. And I finally got to use my cool 7 Gypsies stamp, too! Oh yes, this little project put many a smile on my face as I created it :)

happy birthday, Sara

I was so excited all those years ago when I was pregnant with Annie to find out that my wonderful friend Kim was going to have a girl, too. Turns out Annie and Sara are very, very different. Still, on the rare occasions that we're able to get together, the girls get along wonderfully. Each year, I try very hard to come up the perfect birthday gift for Sara...but finally, this year, I was stumped. Annie told me to get her gift cards. But I didn't think that was exciting enough. Annie assured me, "Gift cards are a preteen girl's best friend! Trust me, Mom, she love them!" So, I decided to trust her, but I still wanted to jazz them up a bit, so I made this special holder for them. I hope she likes it! Annie totally flipped over it, and made me promise to make her one for her birthday, so I hope that's a good sign.

The front cover:



















And this is what it's like opened up:















(click on photo for a closer look)

uninspired

Not sure why, but I just can't seem to get inspired while creating these "prizes" for Annie's contests. This is the super plain one that July's winner will receive.

a quick photo card

Nothing fancy. (And honestly not crooked in real life.)

two made, one photographed

I'm so bummed that I forgot to take a picture of the anniversary card I made for my parents before I mailed it off. It was actually one of my better efforts. Figures, huh?

But here's the card I made for Max's teacher:



Max had the sweetest teacher in the world for kindergarten. She really, truly was just the perfect match for our little guy. She just innately seemed to "get" him. I know he's going to miss her.

another journal

I think I should just give up on this blog, since I can't seem to get anything made these days. Should have had this little journal finished a couple weeks ago, as it was Annie's prize for her June contest. Better late than never...at least I hope that's what Kara will think, as she was this month's winner.



(It's actually much brighter and prettier in person. Not sure why the picture came so dark, but I didn't realized until I'd uploaded it, and I was just too lazy to redo it.)