PageMaps | May, all stars...

Hello and happy May!

This months PageMaps layout is not your conventional "Mother's day" layout. As I was looking for pictures to create with the sketch, these images jumped out to me the most. My little ones candid approach to making the most of our outing brought back so many fond memories. I can never get enough of all the fun things we did together during our road trip to Stamford, CT and NYC. Moments like this don't come too often, but when they do, the kids and I take advantage of opportunities brought our way.

I was drawn to the stars placement on this months sketch. I grabbed my star punch and quickly put my layout together. I used a mix of colorful pattern papers, which cohesively complimented my photos color pallet. I kept the layout simple using strips of 6x1" strips to frame and set the background foundation. Everything else just feel perfectly into place.

Once again, thanks so much for stopping by... hope you're creatively inspired to document those special "moments" about being a mom.

xo, Cindy

Gossamer Blue | enjoy the ride...

did you have a great 4th? it was pretty laid back, low key for us, but really nice. we didn't do too much this year. we enjoyed fireworks this year at a friends house, which was nice and the kids enjoyed themselves.

lately, i haven't been consistent w/ my fitness lately and it is showing. i have been slacking, mostly b/c of my upper right thigh causing me issues. i continue to work on making it feel better though. i decided to start up w/ some crossfit workouts. i'm really looking forward to something new and different. speaking of fitness, today's layout share is a selfie during one of my many bike rides last year... i used a mix of products from Gossamer Blue's add-ons and life pages kits.

the July papers and project life cards linear designs and geometric shapes are truly amazing... so, i mixed them all up onto one layout. a seemingly simple page that took forever to create... why is that? my cowgirl layout i did took all of 40 minutes and yet, go figure!

...xo!

new things | scrapbooking...

guten morgen and happy Sunday!

wanted to share a few new things happening this month... i'm a guest designer for Masterful Scrapbook Design and this months new ebook is all about Product Play! this was such a fun project to work on. i loved the assignments and details that went along with them. it really allowed me to broaden my creativity and keeping with my true style! Masterful Scrapbook is a wonderful place to become a member. you'll have access to loads of inspiration and ebooks each month. be sure to become a member and get your hands on the current Product Play ebook now available.

hope you enjoy the rest of your day... xo!

sweet memories | Two Peas :(

i  know, there has been many posts about the closing of Two Peas In a Bucket and yes, i am jumping in on the bandwagon...

it's sad news to hear one of the largest online scrapbooking communities has decided to close. i've been a member there since 2003 and it's heart wrenching to say the least. i have met some AMAZING friends, friends with a common interest in celebrating and creating memories through scrapbooking. not only was i just a member, but also a Garden Girl for 2.5 years. it was a turning point for me and i will always cherish that opportunity Kristina gave me during my scrappy years.

thanks to Two Peas for being that place where i could hang out with women (and a few men) who shared a common love as i. you will be missed!

here is my very first layout i shared shortly after joining...

and my first Garden Girl layout...

 

...xoxo!

OLW | grow...

since 2011, i began documenting my one little word (i love the idea behind it...) into a layout and i continue to keep up the tradition. there were so many words that came to mind. but the one word that hung around in my thoughts those last few months last year the most was GROW. in 2014, my goal is to grow educationally, financially, physically, creatively, spiritually - continue growing as a parent, wife and friend.

i created this layout using minimal products with Gossamer Blue January kits and i'm sharing a few super simple techniques on how it all came together. so stop by the GB blog...

xo...

GB | November layouts + December Memories sneak peek...

good morning!!!

a few days late w/ my blog post... life got in the way, in a good way, so no time to sit down and share my projects. i'm sure most of you have already seen them in the Gossamer Blue gallery, but of course, i'm always eager to share on my blog. there was an abundance of products in the November kits, which completely inspired me to the fullest.

my first layout are of my parents w/ Corinne... giving goodbye hugs during one of our many visits. it's always wonderful to capture sweet, loving moments like these. i was excited to scrap these photos. i used the Main kit and digital die-cut files to complete this page. i love the Elle Studio exclusive heart stamp for Gossamer Blue, too. they gave a nice subtle contrast to the overall design with all the other heart elements throughout the page.

for this page, i used a mix of the add-on and bits & pieces kits. i was drawn to the pink background that i had to create a simple layout. this was one of those layouts that came together super fast. the Heidi Swapp bag of vellum, transparent and paper die-cuts was my favorite to use on this page. it is jammed packed with lots of embellishments.

lastly, i had more time to create an extra page this month using a variety of goodness from the life pages kits including printables... i centered the design around a trio of photos of my growing little man added layers of tags, 4x6 cards, stickers and stamped elements. love when pages come together so easily... a good sign of well made kits!!!

thanks for stopping by and i hope you join us tomorrow... December Memories class begins... here is a sneak peek from my own holiday album...

 

GB | November kits sneak peek...

happy Monday! here is a little sneak peek of my November projects for Gossamer Blue... i'll be back to share them in full on November 1st... xo

everyday storyteller | teaser...

a little teaser for you this morning... I am joining a group of Everyday Storyteller contributors for a free holiday event. more details coming soon... :)

AC | sneaky peek...

happy Monday peeps!

have a little sneak peek at a few projects i created for American Crafts as a guest designer. stay tuned to see them in full coming up on their blog later this month... xo!

Lily Bee Design | Page Maps

this month Lily Bee Design has the pleasure of working with Becky Fleck creator of Page Maps . sketches are a huge part of scrapbooking. about 95% of every layout i create i sketch out a several designs in my head and jot them down for reference. many times though, i'll use a Page Maps sketch to give my creativity a jolt. and many times my layouts won't look like the actual sketch. however, there are many times when i am given or find a sketch that i really like, i'll stick w/ the actual design and go from there.

this sketch presented to me put a smile on my face. i LOVED that it's different from my usual design. all the different layers really grabbed my attention.

for my page, i pretty much stuck w/ the overall design down to the stitching. however, i added two photos and moved my journaling towards the bottom of the page instead of in the center. i even played around w/ the strips of pattern paper to make ticket stubs, arrows, etc. out of them for interests, like in the sketch.

and for the first time, i mixed all three Lily Bee collections on this layout, something i've not done in a while or at all since they've been available. i love how they all correlate so well on my page.

if you have time, be sure to check out this months sketch layouts from the rest of the team and definitely challenge yourself to using Becky's amazing sketch designs here. she has a ton of variations in all sorts of sizes based on your scrapbooking or cardmaking preference.

xo...