The One with Elle's Studio Halloween and American Crafts Honeycomb Layouts

Tuesday, July 17, 2012

Two scrappy posts in a row! Miracles do exist :)
I had the wonderful opportunity to work with Elle's Studio newest Halloween line, Spooky Tales, and this layout is currently in their very first ever CHA booth which you can kinda see in this pic (middle board, bottom right):

I'm jealous of everyone who is at CHA in Chicago right now. But anyway, here's my layout!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN

Journaling says: Halloween is my favorite holiday and I'm soo excited to have a child to live vicariously through! Halloween 2011 Fox was a super cute Clark Kent.

How to: Drop India ink and two colors of orange mist across a cream chevron paper layout base. Attach two fabric brads to opposite sides of the page and wrap orange baker's twine around them to create a string banner. Tie black baker's twine bows around the brads. Adhere tags, pennants, sentiment, labels, journaling spots, and pictures across the baker's twine and embellish with buttons and a wooden number. Add a Thickers title above the banner. Embellish the layout with jewels, pearls, brads, and buttons as shown then write journaling with a black pen on the bottom left side.

Tip: Place dimensional adhesive at the ends of the tags so they're lifted up off the page and create dimension.

Supplies: Patterned paper: Studio Calico; Tags, pennants, labels, journaling spots, sentiment die cuts: Elle's Studio; Fabric brads: American Crafts, Basic Grey; Buttons: Crate Paper (plastic), My Mind's Eye (chipboard); Baker's twine: The Twinery; Jewels, pearls: K & Company; Wooden number: Craft supply; Letter stickers: American Crafts (chipboard, foam, puffy), Tim and Beck (mini alphabet); Spray mist: Studio Calico (dark orange), Tattered Angels (light orange); India ink: Artworks; Pen, adhesive: American Crafts

************************************************************
I had a layout on the American Crafts blog yesterday featuring the ever-popular honeycomb pattern!

SAY CHEESE

Journaling says: I know that I'm 100% totally biased, but really, how did I end up with the cutest boy in the entire world?! Every face he makes melts my heart.

How to: Drop white spray mist across a dark gray cardstock background. Punch lots of hexagons from patterned paper and a few slightly smaller hexagons from some of the same papers. Piece the hexagons onto the layout (using pop dots under the smaller hexagons) then add a photo on top. Embellish with fabric brads and star stickers. Make a title on the bottom right corner and embellish around it with stickers and stamp the date. Draw journaling lines on the top right corner and write on them using a black pen.

Supplies: Cardstock, patterned paper, fabric brads, ribbon, stickers (letters, labels, sentiments, stars), chipboard frame, date stamp, ink, pen, adhesive: American Crafts; Spray mist: Studio Calico; Hexagon punches: Creative Memories

Not sure how many more scrappy posts I'll have coming up in the next few weeks... but I'll try because I love it so!

The One with July 2012 American Crafts Layouts

Monday, July 16, 2012

I got my layouts done a little early this month, cuz, you know, there's like a big event happening any day now... :)

PREPARING FOR BABY JANE

Journaling says: There ain't no journaling. The pictures are worth a thousand words. Or perhaps the sentiment sticker is the journaling: Let the fun begin!

How to: It would take a novel for me to explain how I made this layout. I actually ended up redoing the entire thing (hence why the "Jane" is cut out) because my spray misting ruined the original layout. One neat thing is that the butterfly confetti is leftover from the butterfly chandelier that I made for her room - so there's like a piece of her room on the layout! And I swiped the vintage crocheted doilies from my sister's craft room when I was there in April. Hope that's okay Allie :) I'll tell Jane they're from her Aunt Allie.

Supplies: Cardstock, patterned paper, stickers (banner, letters, sentiments, words), adhesive: American Crafts; Pearls, jewels: Mark Richards, Pebbles Heart doily: Dollar supply; Crocheted doilies: Vintage; Floss: DMC; Butterfly punch: Martha Stewart Crafts; Spray mist: Studio Calico; Die cut machine (Cameo), software (Silhouette): QuicKutz; Sewing machine: Brother; Thread: Coats & Clark

*********************************************************

SPARKLE & SHINE

Journaling says: I got this sparkly sweater in Washington knowing that I wouldn't be able to wear it for a few months because of summer heat and it not fitting cuz I'm pregnant. But on the night of my baby shower for Jane I knew I was going to be in the spotlight so I might as well dress the part! It was fun looking like a disco ball for a night - baby bump and all!

How to: Stitch "rays" in an assortment of colors of thread coming from the top and bottom of a yellow polka dot paper layout base. Add lines of jewels and pearls between the stitched lines. Drop pink, gold, silver, and aqua spray most over the rays. Create a layered title embellishment and adhere it between two photos in the middle. Cut a tag in half, write journaling on both pieces, and tuck them under the photos along with a bit of pink ribbon trim. That's the gist of it!

Supplies: Patterned paper, stickers (ampersand, borders, date label, flower, journaling spot, letters, word), ribbon trim, tag, date stamp, pen, adhesive: American Crafts; Flower buttons: Pebbles; Pearls, jewels: Mark Richards, Pebbles; Jewel chain: Pink Paislee; Doilies: Martha Stewart Crafts; Ink: StazOn; Spray mist: Studio Calico (aqua, pink), Tattered Angels (gold, silver); Sewing machine: Brother; Thread: Coats & Clark

Can I just say how much I love using pink, jewels, sparkles, and bling on girly girl pages? Hurry up baby Jane, I need some actual pictures of you to scrapbook!

The One with 182 Pounds

Sunday, July 15, 2012

I probably wouldn't post these picture because they're so embarrassing, but I need to look back on them for future pregnancies:

Preggo with Fox: 7 weeks and 39 weeks
I started at 120 pounds and weighed 176 at the end. I gained 56 pounds.

Preggo with Jane: 6 weeks and 38 weeks
I started at 130 pounds and currently weigh 182. I've gained 52 pounds, but really 62 since I want to be back at 120.

Why oh why do I gain so much weight when I'm pregnant? I've honestly tried eating better this time. I've only made one batch of brownies instead of dozens and I've been chasing a toddler around the entire time. Hopefully I'll be able to lose the weight pretty fast like I was able to with Fox - but it wasn't easy! I was on Weight Watchers and exercised regularly.

Here's to hoping breastfeeding is my best friend and that Lean Cuisine meals fill me up!

The One with Fox Saying, "No no no"

Saturday, July 14, 2012

11 seconds of funny.

The One with the 2012-2013 American Crafts Design Team!

Friday, July 13, 2012

I'm so excited to be on the American Crafts Design Team for another year as the Blog Hostess/Design Team Manager. Best. Job. Ever.

6a00d8357de06869e20154348afe21970c-500wi

Allison Waken - from Phoeniz, AZ

Amy Heller - from Newtown, CT

Andrea Budjack - Orlando, FL

Angie Gutshall - from James Creek, PA

Becky Williams - from Wolfforth, TX

Carina Lindholm - from Koping, Sweden

Corrie Jones - from Dallas, GA

Erin Stewart - from El Paso, TX

Heather Leopard - from Cypress, TX

Jenny Chesnick - from Brooklyn, MD

Jill Cornell - from Windsor Heights, IA

Kimberly Neddo - from Bigfork, MT

Leah Farquharson - from Lauderhill, FL

Leslie Ashe - from Fort Worth, TX

Lilith Eeckels - from Bertogne, Belguim

Melissa Mann - from Pensacola, FL

Michiko Kato - from Osaka, Japan

Monika Glod - from Krakow, Poland

***Paige Evans - from South Pasadena, CA***

Patricia Roebuck - from Mandeville, LA

Sophie Crespy - from Saint Jean De Maurienne, France

Super duper excited to work with all of these lovely and talented ladies for the next year!

Back to scrapping I go - gotta get some my assignments done before Jane arrives in no more than 16 days!!!

The One with a Layout in Signature Series: Elizabeth Kartchner

Thursday, July 12, 2012

I have a layout in the "Elizabeth & Friends" section of the brand new Signature Series: Elizabeth Kartchner book!

In case you don't know who Elizabeth Kartchner is, most definitely check out her amazing, inspiring, colorful blog. I love her style of scrapbooking and her personal clothing style - she's totally gorgeous inside and out. Her Dear Lizzy lines with American Crafts are always amazing and I find myself using her product over and over again! Speaking of which, I used her Dear Lizzy Neapolitan line to make the page which I'm referring to:

I LOVE MY BOY

Journaling says: I didn't think it was possible to love something so much, but being your mother has taught me more than I can explain. You are my light and my life - I'd do anything for you and I'll always love you no matter what! You are my favorite thing!

How to: Die cut a chevron background from cardstock, set it over a cream patterned paper background, spray over it with mist, then remove the mask. Cut pieces of super strong tape into little bits and set them in three chevrons across the top of the layout. Punch heart and star confetti from patterned paper and sprinkle it onto the tape. Stitch around the layout and between the stripes using gray thread then write journaling on the top line of stitching. Make a title, add photos, and embellish with pearls and a wooden button as shown.

Supplies: Cardstock, patterned paper, wooden button, chipboard word, stickers (letters, sentiment), pen, adhesive: American Crafts; Pearls: Mark Richards; Punches (hearts, stars): Martha Stewart Crafts; Spray mist: Studio Calico; Sewing machine: Brother; Thread: Coats & Clark; Die cut machine (Cameo), chevron background die (Silhouette): QuicKutz

The One with Fox's Big Boy Hair Cut

Wednesday, July 11, 2012

Fox got his very first hair cut on March 18th 2012. A couple months later it had grown out again, but his hairstylist had moved, so Chris took a pair of scissors to Fox's locks... let's just say he had bangs for a few weeks... This time we needed professional help and this morning was the big event!

BEFORE - out of control but still oh-so-cute!

AFTER - so grown up and dapper and handsome!

Thanks Tara - now we need to give him a stick to ward off all the ladies that will be coming after him cuz you made him look so foxy :)

The One with the Past Nine July 9ths

Monday, July 9, 2012

July is always a pretty big month in our lives - from mission farewells, reunions, vacations, trips, and travels, to the 4th of July, Pioneer Day, my brother's anniversary, my sister-in-law
s birthday, and now with a baby being born in July we'll always have a birthday in our own little family to celebrate! I was thinking about what we were doing exactly a year ago - we were in Hawaii which to date is my favorite vacation ever. Then I wondered what we were doing two years ago today, three years ago, four, five, six, seven, and even eight years ago! Well, thanks to digital cameras and Picasa, I can easily look up what I was doing (note that not all of these are on exactly July 9th, but they're pretty close):

2012 - Nothing extraordinary. Just workin' and mommyin' and cookin' a baby. Life is simple. Life is good.

2011 - Vacation to Kauai, Hawaii. Best. Vacation. Ever.

2010 - I was in Washington eating lunch at Google with my family, having a last hoorah before Fox was born a couple months later.

2009 - We were in Colorado for a quick trip to be there when Chris's dad was ordained as Bishop.

2008 - We were in Washington in the Bavarian town of Leavenworth, having fun and vacationing.

2007 - We were living in Provo, Utah. My brother was leaving on his mission and Chris and I were happy that we were (finally) married.

2006 - Chris had JUST gotten home from his mission - it was so fun to see him finally after not seeing him for two whole years! This is at the Denver airport, seconds after being reunited.

2005 - I was in London doing a four month study abroad. Every day was an amazing and fun adventure.

2004 - I was in Colorado hanging out with my boyfriend Chris (haha, that sounds so funny to say, boyfriend) before he left on his mission.

2003 - I had just graduated from high school so before I headed off to college at BYU my family went on a trip to New York/Washington D.C.

It's fun to trace back and see what I've been doing on a certain day for the past 9 years! Try it - it's fun :)

The One with an Induction Date

Friday, July 6, 2012

We're down to the wire folks! Today I'm 37 weeks which means that Jane is full term! We made it!

I went to the doctor yesterday, I go every week now until she's born, so up to three more appointments. I love this doctor because the first thing she asks at every appointment is if I have any questions. Since this is my second time being pregnant, most of my first timer questions are answered, but yesterday I did have a question: when can I be induced? The timing is so tricky with this one and not knowing when she's going to make her debut is the hardest part of all! Also, and I'm getting sidetracked here, but it seems like most girls I know who have their second baby pop them out suuuper fast once labor starts. I remember with Fox, once they broke my water after I'd been in the hospital for 14 hours, my contractions started HURTING and I got an epidural right away. I am so scared that my water is going to break and we won't be able to get to the hospital fast enough and I'm going to deliver Jane in the car. That's why I've dog-eared the "how to deliver a baby by yourself" page in my "What to Expect" book and am going to make Chris read and memorize it tonight :)

Anyway, so I asked the doctor when I can be induced, or I think my exact words were, "How long after a baby is due do you make people wait to get induced?" 7-10 days. No bueno - my due date is July 27th and we have a family reunion up in Oregon that we really want to go to on August 12th. My plan is to stay at the house with Jane the entire time while Chris takes Fox on all the fun adventures. It'll be nice to have help and planned meals. Having as much time to recover as possible before August 12th would be wonderful. So there's that and my mom flies here from Seattle on July 25th. As much as I'd like to have Jane sooner than that, I just really want my mom to be here to watch Fox and take care of the animals and hold down the fort while we're in the hospital. I told my doctor all of this, I'm sure I sounded anxious and nervous. Being the angel that she is, she looked at her calendar and said, "I'll be working at the hospital on the 29th, so if she isn't born before that, we'll induce you on the 29th." HALELUJAH! There's an end in sight! An actual date to look forward to if Jane doesn't come on her own! Now THAT'S relief.

So, like I said, as much as I want Jane to be born early, I mostly want her to keep cooking until the 25th, but then the 26th or 27th or 28th would be great. Or if not then, the 29th it most definitely is!
See you soon Jane!

The One with the 4th of July 2012

Thursday, July 5, 2012

Last year:

This year:

For the second (and final, cuz next year we'll be gone!) year we watched the South Pasadena Festival of Balloons. Mission Street was closed off and the streets were lined with spectators.

We had great seats right under some shady trees. Even though it was overcast, the sun came out mid-parade and we were glad for the shade. Or maybe it was just me cuz I'm a human oven. Our peeps:

Before the festivities got started a helicopter flew overhead and someone on board was yelling things like "Happy 4th of July!" and "Enjoy the parade everybody!"

Our favorite was when the kids in the parade threw out candy - we didn't even have to ring doorbells or shout "trick or treat!" to get these sweets!

Every "float" or group of people had balloons attached to them - hence the Festival of Balloons.

The ~~adults~~ kids wanted to run out into the street and play with this ginormous soccer ball!

Tons of vintage cars.

The coolest group of people was the balloon-twisting school students.

Chris should learn how to make all of these.

The parade ended with a bunch of confetti. Picture perfect.

We had plans to see the fireworks show at the Rose Bowl, but then we changed our minds and wanted to go to the fireworks at South Pasadena High School. And then we just got too tired and stayed home and watched The Muppets instead.

Fun 4th! I wonder where we'll be next year?!?

The One with a Pinterest 4th of July Vol. 2

Wednesday, July 4, 2012

Happy Independence Day to all my stateside friends!

And happy regular 4th day of the month of July to everyone else!

Since most of our festive activities haven't come to pass yet, I'll share some 4th of July things I found on Pinterest today and post what we did tomorrow, just like last year. Get it? Got it? Good!

All of the sources for the following photos can be found on my 4th of July Pinterest Board.

An oldie (cuz I shared it last year too) but a goodie! So easy to make and yet so awesome!

Mmmm, get in my belly!

I have large apothecary jars leftover from Fox's birthday party last year that just sit on my shelf with nothing in them. What a good idea to fill them with various things for all holidays year-round!