February?????

February was PLAY month for me like never before.

Michelle & I ventured out on our 1st, but not our last, cruise. We departed Galveston Island and for 7 days we cruised the Western Caribbean. So much to see and do, it was a bit overwhelming. This was the trip of a lifetime.

Once we returned I packed up my scrapping supplies and headed to "Our House" retreat center in Milford, TX. I had so much fun with my scrapping buddies. Can't wait to go back.
Here are two layouts I made at Our House.

These photos are so typical of who we are. Always in t-shirts, shorts and tennis shoes; just hangin' out and enjoying life. In this layout I used Basic Grey's Urban Praire paper pack.

Here is the layout I made as the opening page to our cruisin' album. I'll be using Basic Grey's Marrikech paper line for this album. I love the rich color palette and like how it compliments my photos.

Side note: for grins I submitted both of these layouts to Basic Grey, thinking they may pick up the cruisin' layout with the new Marrikech line.....they passed that one and picked up the Typically us layout with the infamous felt dots.

My scrapping buddies are always teasing me because I struggle with throwing away scraps. So as a joke they blessed me with the cute little pink felt dots seen above the leaves on the chipboard flower. Being dared.....this is how I used them.

It's ironic that is the layout Basic Grey picked up.....

Trick or Retreat

This past October, the week before Halloween, my buddies & I went on our 1st scrapbooking retreat. Not far from home, but just far enough to be pampered, we spend 3 days scrapping & chatting. We had so much fun we're doing it again in February. This time we're minus one pal but maybe she can bring her hubby and come visit.

I completed this layout at Archivers this past weekend while scrapping with these same creative women. Thanks for the inspiration ladies!

The Senior Sigh

I started this layout at club last weekend but just now finished it. I'm really starting to like my new Sure Cuts A Lot software used with my cricut.

I like being able to weld the letters and use all of my thousands and thousands of fonts. It's confirmed my suspicions.....I am a fontaholic. I love Designing with Type, one of the Designing with series from Autumn Leaves. I like that each adds a special meaning and feel to the project.

Anyway, I used my Tim Holtz flourish mask on this layout as well. Reeeaally like those too. They are soooo easy and alter the image so much. This layout is actually done on chipboard. I ran out of brown cardstock. It's thin so it's hard to tell. Anyway....tfl.

Really "Nice" kids

Awwwww......see I told you they were really good kids. When Ryan told them the only photo I'd taken turned out blurry they got cleaned up and came back later that evening and willingly posed for as many shots as I wanted. Not wanting to push the envelope I settled for a few.

Shown in this photo: Kelsey, Cody in position, Emily, Ryan Chris/Weedle, Natalie & Ryan. Oh...btw...can ya tell Emily & Natalie are sisters?

I have disgraced all scrapbookers

I’m soooooo disgusted. By the time the camera came out, one of the kids had already left, breakfast had already been served and the kids were on their way out to take Schatzi to the trail. They were in such a hurry I only got one photo and it’s BLURRY!!!!!


Oh well, what do they say? ”We do not remember days, we remember moments”. Blurry or not, at least this photo will help us remember.

Natalie, Ryan, Schatzi, Cody, Kelsey & Emily and Wedell split early.....

Rude Scrapbook Thoughts

Oh, how badly the scrapbooker in me wants to go upstairs and snap photos of all the bodies crashed all over the floors, couches & beds. Fortunately for all the teens crashed out, the compassionate person I am will not allow me to wake them up with an obnoxious flash.

Vista Ridge High School held their 1st annual Alumni Soccer game for the boys and girls teams last night. A lot of the boys and their girlfriends spent the night here before they travel back to their own destinations today. They are nice kids, very polite and considerate and it was a lot of fun watching them having fun on the field last night.

I’ll have to get some photos today. This was a fun and memorable event just asking to be scrapbooked.

More tutorials

I love to learn new techniques from video tutorials and I am constantly seeking out new websites. Soooooo....for those of you as interested as I, I've added several new sites to my side bar that are always offering new tutorials.

Julie Fei-Fan Balzer- she's a fabulous Ranger demonstrator and her videos are great
My Crafty Life- offers "FREE" downloads all the time- super cool
Scrapsupply- Wendy releases a new tutorial monthly, projects and techniques
Ten Second Studio- offers a new video every Tuesday {Taco Tuesday}
Scarlet Lime- offers monthly projects using their kits

Check these out but be prepared to sit in front of your computer mesmerized alllllll day.

I found her.....the artist

Gigi Kennedy.....she's the artist I lifted from below......check her out.....she's the guest designer this month at Label Tulip. She is just so talented and totally inspiring me to try new things. Thanks Gigi.
http://labeltulip.com/index.shtml go see her beautiful work

Everyone who scrapbooks should form a club

I'm so glad our group formed. Every month I learn a new trick or technique and the best part.......it's free (well almost). This month I watched Liz create the perfect little embellishment that just topped off her layout.

Below is one of the layouts I created last night. It's a total lift and I wish I could remember the talented artists name. I just printed it from the web and put my spin on it. The flowers are so much fun to make and oh so easy. (looks better in person.....scan is lacking)

Brenda did a great job hosting with the best King Ranch Casserole. I just had to have a second helping. ....and did I mention the chocolate pie.....melt in your mouth...Fabulous. Her family was so kind to allow us to invade for the day.


I'm already looking forward to next months club. Who knows what I'll learn from this creative bunch.