#cleansweep11 update (and a sale to talk about!)

Yesterday I had a dentist appointment, so I lost all motivation for the day. I did pick up some more cleaning supplies (pledge and whatnot) so that counts for something, right? I did have some good progress on day one. Here's a photo of the master bath during #smithcleansweep11:

And one after:

Looks good right? My plan for today is to finish the Master Bedroom and then onto the spare bedroom which is pretty much trashed. We have no furniture in there, just a few desks, so it turns into a dumping ground. I'm not looking forward to that one!

Yesterday I uploaded one of my CT layouts to Scrap Orchard, and got a lovely note from Jenny McD. who wanted to use it for inspiration on the Speed Scrap last night. I was flattered to say the least! Here's the layout with a teeny tiny Connor:

CREDITS: Tiny Tiles Alpha by SuzyQ Scraps and Lil' Bundle by Suzy Q Scraps

She hosted an awesome Speed Scrap (they are tons of fun if you've never tried it!) and here is the layout I created during the event. Funny how they are so different!

CREDITS: A Life Expressed...{Colorfully} by SuzyQ Scraps

I also picked up some new templates today from Little Green Frog Designs/Cluster Queen Creations. They have a grab bag of 16 (SIXTEEN!) templates for just $4.00 through the end of the day today. That is just $0.25 each! I'm downloading and unzipping them now. I assure you, they are pretty cool.

For the Love of Photos Template Grab Bag

I don't normally pick up grab bags, I'm pretty non-committal when I don't know what it is, but this is a must have for me. I'm not a very good 'cluster-er' so these really help when I want a fancier layout than my normal style.

Lastly, I'm not too sure of the details, but there is a 50% off retiring items at Scrap Orchard through July 5th. There is some really great stuff in there - including some of SuzyQ Scraps kits. I adore these two:

Any Many More...{Bold}

Too Cute To Spook

Do you have anything on your wish list you're going to pick up soon? Share it here - I'd love to see what is inspiring you today. Stop back by tomorrow for Freebie Friday, I have an idea I think will come in handy on your layouts.

Layout Love

I'm on vacation this week! While that may appear exciting, it's a desperate attempt to take back our house. The little baby we brought home almost two years ago has consumed everything since then. It's time to clean up and clean out. Today is day one of #smithcleansweep11 if you want to follow along on Twitter.

Even though it's a cleaning spree, I did get some scrapping done over the weekend and the end of last week. The hubby is back from a week-long business trip, so I'm very hopeful the baby will sleep now! Here's some layouts that I've done with SuzyQ Scraps Summer Team:

CREDITS: A Life Expressed...{Mega Alpha Stash} and A Life Expressed...{Thoughtfully} by SuzyQ Scraps

CREDITS: Bundle of Boy Too {the bundle} including the kit and the word art by SuzyQ Scraps.

CREDITS: Bundle of Boy Too {the Add On} by SuzyQ Scraps, Font is Pea Dacia

Break is over! I'm back to cleaning, next up - the master bedroom!

Last Day for Mousescrappers Scraplift Challenge!

Don't forget today is the last day to participate in my Scraplift Challenge at MouseScrappers. Once you complete the challenge, you'll receive this fabulous Mini Kit that I created:



Either way be sure to pick up the Ah Phooey Bonus Alpha here, it goes great with this kit and anything else featuring our favorite ducks. Thanks to everyone that played so far, I had a great time hosting my first challenge. I'm looking forward to more, namely a template challenge in September. If you enjoyed this type of challenge, a new starts every week in the challenges forum. See you there!

Freebie Friday and a wild first day!

On my first day with Suzy's Summer CT, I learned about an open gallery that allows all designers and off-site linking the other day, Me So Scrappy. There is no forum so it's a perfect place for inspiration when in a scrapping funk. I uploaded the layout from below last night, which is my second layout for Suzy Q Scraps.



CREDITS: Lil Munchkin and Lil Munchkin Puffy Colors Alpha, both by Suzy Q Scraps

Much to my surprise I saw this when I logged on to see if anyone had commented:



WOW! I was featured as a gallery stand out for 6/24. You can read all about it here. I'm really enjoying my hobby and I'm excited that I have such awesome motivation from fellow scrappers and Suzy as a designer.

Even though it's just a wee bit after midnight on Friday, I did get a freebie packaged up for you. This Ride the Wave template is modeled after the Scraplift Challenge at MouseScrappers (just two more days to play). I hope you can use it, and if you do please share a link with me, I'd love to see your work.

Click on the link below to go to my account to download the template. Thanks!
Media Fire link

My {Digital Scrapbooking} big news!

At the beginning of the month (about the time I started this blog) a designer had a CT (creative team) call for a summer team. I've never applied for a CT before, and honestly hadn't considered it. I like scrapping, but I see SO MANY talented scrappers out there that have way more talent than me. That being said I applied to be on the summer CT for Suzy Q Scraps. I've been using her stuff since waaaaayyyyy back when I started in 2008 and she hosted a chat that I attended for National Scrapbooking Day. I really like her kits, they're whimsy and fun, and her themes are right in line with what I scrap.

I applied, and I got picked! I'm joining 22 other super-talented scrappers on her Summer CT. You can read all about it here. Expect to see lots of Suzy's designs here on the blog, and I bet you'll see lots of photos of my little guy. She has great alphas, in fact I just purchased these a few days ago, and I'm excited to share them with you. Check our her store at Scrap Orchard when you have a minute!

Here's my first layout for a holiday kit, Heavenly Peace:



CREDITS: Heavenly Peace by Suzy Q Scraps, Font is Designers and Enchanted Prairie Dog. I'm also pretty sure this Corie's photo from Pixels and Pix.

I have big plans for some Disney pics with this kit that was re-released today - Bundle of Boy Too (There's also one for little ladies, Lullaby Girl Too).



So there you have it! I'm baby-free tonight, so I got a few pages done. Baby still doesn't like sleep, so I'm anxious to get some rest tonight. I hope to have a freebie for you tomorrow, but it might just barely make the Friday deadline!

Freebie Add On from Pixels and Pix Designs

My good friend Corie at Pixels and Pix Designs has a special bonus prize for you if you have already completed or will complete my scraplift challenge at MouseScrappers by Sunday June 26th. Check out these super cute elements she's put together!



She used them on her layout she scraplifted, featuring other soon-to-be released items from her upcoming School Days kit. Sources for her layout can be found here.



Just visit Corie's blog and leave a comment on this post with a link to your layout (either the gallery or the thread is fine!) and she will gladly email you this add-on.

In other news, I haven't got as much scrapping done as I'd like. The boy isn't a big fan of sleeping so he's cutting into my scrapping time! I'm hopeful for an early bedtime tonight!

I also have an announcement for later this week. It's big for me, and I hope you will be excited too!

Digital Scrapbooking 'challenges'

I'm enjoying my home at MouseScrappers, and I'm even branching out to ScrapMatters and Scrap Orchard again for some of the challenges. I realized that I do enjoy scrapping, and even if I don't do the challenge I may still be motivated by the idea.

I saw a post today from Band Geek Designs (I linked to it from Twitter) that outlines challenge programs at a number of store forums, including the Orchard and SM. Check out her recap here if you want to find other places to scrap that welcome your non-Disney photos.

Another challenge for me with digital scrapbooking is printing. I'll be honest, I've only printed about 10 layouts and they are the first 10 I ever created. I printed them at home on my Canon laser printer, but quickly realized that sucked the ink right out! I haven't printed any since, so I have three years worth of stuff. When I do go to print, I'll be using Persnickity Prints. They have a great Facebook page with tips and the occasional deal. I also recommend this post by Corie with Pixels and Pix designs for info on how she prints and organizes her layouts.

In other news I scrapped a layout for the weekly challenge at MouseScrappers that ends today. I think it's pretty cute...I never get to use pastels so I was glad to find some pics this kit would work with. I've had it awhile - I think I bought it when I was pregnant with Connor.



CREDITS: Template - Scrapping with Liz, Spring templates, Ziggle Designs – On the Go, Suzy Q Scraps – Yellow paper alpha from A Life Expressed Mega Alpha Stash. Fonts are Honey and Pea Picky Panda.

Journaling reads: We were so worried about how Connor would do with all the transportation options. Would he sit in the stroller? Would he be okay on the Monorail? Would he like the trams? Not only did we worry about him, we worried about us! Could we handle the stroller without freaking out? How much stuff would we forget? Would we have enough room for the diapers? What about food? Should we take snacks? As usual you proved pretty adaptable and all that worrying was for naught. You loved the tram and were content to take in the sights and sounds from your stroller when it was time. You can tell by the look on your face - so curious all the time! This was our last day of the 2010 trip, and by day two we felt like old pros. You showed us you know how to travel.

Challenge Week #2

Don't forget the MouseScrappers Scraplift Challenge that I'm hosting through the end of this week. The deadline to play is June 26th. There are some great layouts in there already.

{If you are looking for the Ah Phooey Bonus Alpha from Scraplift Challenge #20, click here!}

Here's an awesome LO that brena80 did with the participation prize. She used the Ah Phooey mini kit in a Mousescrappers template challenge:



Head on over to the gallery and leave her some love!

I also had some time to do a Speed Scrap at ScrapMatters Friday night. I love the way this LO turned out. It's been awhile since I've been in that forum, but the ladies were as nice as ever! The photos are from Connor's newborn photo shoot (by Michelle Tiek Photography in Indianapolis) at our house just days after he arrived home.



CREDITS: Template by Pixels and Pix Designs (Blog Freebie), Papers - Little One by Amy Stoffel, Stitches - Stitch Hiccups #1, Suzy Q Scraps, Bead Scatter - Summer Fun, Designs by Kat and Infant Attitude Word art - Elegant Word Art by Bethany. Font is Pea Picky Panda.

Journal/title reads: We were so blessed to welcome Baby Connor to our life. After three years of infertility treatments the bills certainly stacked up. It was meant to be, we know you are...expensive, but worth it.

Have I mentioned Pixels and Pics yet? Corie has some great kits, and I love her style. If she sold template packs I would snatch them right up. Her clean style and creative use of strokes to frame the page work well with my style. Be sure to check her out in your free time.

I plan on LOTS of scrapping this week - I even have a free night Thursday. I'll have to decide whether to scrap this past Disney trip, or work on trip planning for October. Hmmmm...what's a girl to do?

Happy Father's Day!

We had a big morning already, and everyone is napping but me. As soon I share this photo - I'm taking my nap turn! Here's what I did with that word art I shared with you all on Friday:



Scott really liked it - It goes well with his 'dad' photos. The photo is 3 overlay layers on top of a textured white paper with the word art layered on top at 70%. Easy stuff. I just framed it, and it looks fantastic! It's really great that I can use photos as gifts and our family loves them just as much.

I'll be back tomorrow with some layouts from some challenges this week, as well as to showcase a layout made with my freebie over at MouseScrappers. Don't forget the challenge runs through the 26th.

Happy napping!

Freebie Friday for Father's Day

Dads are cool. Grandpas are even cooler.

This is Easter Sunday 2011. Grampie sat at the kids table with Connor. Looks comfy, right?

My Dad is great and my husband is a great Dad. They are perfect in their own way and in a word, 'mine'. (I'll save the Mine Baby stories for later....) In honor of them and of all the Father's out there, I've got some freebie word art for you - Mine Daddy. There are three versions - Mine Daddy, Mine Da-Da and Mine Dad. I hope you can use them in your layouts or for projects to give on Sunday. I'll show you what I did with mine Sunday as to not ruin the surprise for the hubby.

Enjoy and be sure to share a link in the comments of your projects!

MediaFire link

Downloading Frenzy - Alphas and Templates

{If you are looking for the Ah Phooey Bonus Alpha from Scraplift Challenge #20, click here!}

I'm on a downloading frenzy right now - I went on a mini shopping spree yesterday at Scrap Orchard. Suzy Q Scraps had a big sale so I picked up a few kits, some stash builders and the best ever - A Life Expressed...Mega Alpha Stash. It's 62 alphas! I'm excited to see them, but that also means I need to get organization to the top of my to do list.

I also completed another challenge at MouseScrappers. This is for the Scraplift Challenge #19 which is being hosted by another newbie (like me!) and I used a template from Little Green Frog Designs. I haven't worked with her stuff before, but I really liked it and the shadows were great. She has a 16-template collab grab bag on sale right now if you want to see more.


CREDITS: Puddle Jumpers (retired) by Suzy Q Scraps, Ethan's Backyard (retired) by PPD and Ziggle Designs, Stitch Hiccups #1 by Suzy Q Scraps. Fonts are Jungle Fever, Teen and Just Me Again Down Here.

I'm working on a little something to give away over the weekend in honor of Father's Day! It's a big deal around here, and it's my husbands 2nd Father's Day. Last year I did this amazing photo collage, I'm not sure I can top it, but I'll try!

Scraplift Challenge #20 at MouseScrappers

Time to host my first ever digital scrapbooking challenge. I'm excited - and a bit nervous! Here is the layout that I made to scraplift. It's from our arrival at the Magic Kingdom in October 2010 - Connor's first trip, and our first as a family.

CREDITS: Ah Phooey! by Just Meejay Designs, Stitchy Stuff
by Amy Stoffel LLC, Font is Pea Picky Panda.

If you participate in the challenge here between June 13th and June 26th you'll receive this mini-kit freebie as your participation prize:


I had a blast creating my first ever kit. So, in honor of my first challenge, I put together a bonus alpha to give away here on my blog. I plan to have more freebies, so be sure to bookmark this site or add it to your RSS reader with the buttons on the top right.

Click on the link below to go to my account to download the bonus alpha. Thanks!

MediaFire link

My fav...

My fav...time of the day is morning when everyone else is still asleep in our house, but I also don't like to get up early.

My fav...thing that Connor does is when he makes the little kissy face and gives you a big smacking kiss but I don't like when he throws a fit because well, he is two, it happens now.

My fav...layout right now is this one:



and I don't have a 'but'.

This was done for a scraplift challenge hosted by Britt of Britt-ish Designs at Mousescrappers. We lifted a layout by a paper artist and I chose this one by Nancy Damiano here.

CREDITS: Franziska Altman - Lil' Froggie, Tracie Shroud - Solid State papers, Amy Stoffel - Stitchy Stuff, Captivated Visions - Pageturner (alpha) and font is PeaCourtney.

Chef Donald

Still home sick, so I did a little blog updating today. I hope you like it! I scrapped a page last night with my freebie kit to make sure elements were the right size and the pages worked with each other.


CREDITS: Template by Scrapping with Liz, Ah Phooey! Mini Kit Freebie by Just Meejay Designs. Journaling reads: Connor wasn’t a big TV watcher when we went to Disney in October 2010, but he sure loved the Donald Duck voice. Since our visit, Donald has become a topic of conversation in our house regarding his ‘attitude’. We were so excited to get a good photo of Donald, Daddy and Connor during our visit to Chef Mickey’s at the Contemporary.

If you are looking for a good Disney challenge, head over to Mousescrappers. They have some great ones right now - especially the June Kit Challenge, Scraplift Challenge and the Template Challenge. Go check them out!

Blogging on Benydryl, and the first layout

I'm pretty puny and sick with a head cold and a slight reaction to a med. Boo Hiss. In a tiny moment of clairity today, I scrapped a layout at Mousescrappers for the 6/4 to 6/17 Template Challenge hosted by Jenn. I'm pretty happy with it, the image is linked to the mousescrappers gallery for credits.




Connor has a great time playing with his 'Busy Books' that he gets from Nana. This one is Toy Story, but he also has a Cars one. I think he just likes folding and unfolding the mats, but it is so cute to see him play with the little figurenes. I wonder what goes through his mind when he plays with these little toys?

My first digital scrapbook kit

I just finished up my first kit, for a Scraplift challenge giveaway that I am hosting June 13-26th at MouseScrappers. Here's a little sneak peek!

Take Me Out to the Ballgame

Last night I had the pleasure of hosting the 9th Annual Hendricks County Night at Victory Field. I got to address the crowd on behalf of my work, and got to do the radio interview. Co Star Tracy did an amazing job of putting this event together. Connor found the best seat in the house...



Scott said that when C saw me on the big screen he yelled 'Momma!' and blew kisses. I will pause for the collective 'awwwwwwwwwwwww'. I *love* a happy two year old.