my shoulder which I must admit is making me crazier than ever… I thought I would share with you some of my favorite layouts featured in my book “Delight In The Details”. These three are all so different from each other yet super detailed and as you know I can get lost in the details.

The photo of the little girl is me. It is one of my favorite baby photos.  I thought this photo was a perfect match with this paper line by Jenni Bowlin. In this layout I used my craft knife a lot. Which is most likely one of the reasons my shoulder is killing me… I love to use my craft knife and grip it so tightly. I think the light chalking on the bird and flowers makes for a perfect splash of color.

I love the whimsical feel of this layout… I first started out with the house and then built the layout from there. I love how the Maya Road tree tops make for perfect clouds.

This layout has more craft knife work and lots of hand stitching. Altering the Maya Road chipboard letters in a semi solid color gives the eye a nice place to rest. This layout has a lot going on and I love it. I really like this Pink Paislee line… it was one of their firsts.

I will share a few of my favorite cards and tags next week… wishing you all a wonderful weekend.

Most of you know I have a serious time getting my Christmas tree taken down and put back up in the attic before spring and the layout below which I created a while back is proof. Well yesterday was an all time first. I actually got all the holiday decorations boxed up, the tree taken down AND put back into the attic. Seriously, I am so proud of myself as this was a true accomplishment. And needing to finish up CHA projects is a HUGE motivator.

This girl is behind and needs to kick it in gear big time. I have so many little things that turn into slightly bigger things to take care of before the show. One thing is getting book projects (layouts, cards and tags) into 4 – American Crafts Modern 12 x 12 D-Ring albums (Thanks Lyndsey Wells). I plan on altering the front of each album (which will not get done before the show and I have accepted it) to display along with some of the projects at the show with F & W Media. I will have a demo in their booth (4228) on the 25th from 11 – 12. I will also have a few albums in the Maya Road booth (1969) as you can imagine there is a LOT of Maya Road in my book.

Speaking of Maya Road… sneak peeks begin the middle of next week! Oh are you all gonna LOVE what you see… promise.

The sentiment “Home Sweet Home” can make you think of many things… special items in your home a spring garden and most importantly those special people and pets. This project highlights all of the special things that help make our home a “Home Sweet Home”. Showcased in my album are photos of my brother’s trumpet, family members, flowers from our garden, Sonny and Buster our special canine companions as well as a few family quotes.

In this four day altered class we will be altering a Maya Road Townhouse and Mini Album using a faux mosaic created from 4 beautiful Webster’s Pages patterned papers. Then accent the house and album with lots of Maya Road products such as their Vintage Sequins Edging, Pom Pom Trim, Double Stitched Velvet, Blossoms, Jewel Pins, Buttons and Rubons. Vintage items such as Seam Binding, Bakers Twine and flocked flowers help accent the house and album perfectly. I will show you how to accent each page of your album using Stickles and basic hand doodling. Once completed your finished album can be stored neatly inside the house or left out for all to see.

This four day online class begins July 1st. Those of you that sign up on or before July 1st, the online class will end July 29th. Those of you that sign up after July 1st your class will end four weeks after your sign up date. So no matter your sign up date you will receive 4 total weeks access to the online class.

This four day online class comes with a complete supply list, step by step instructions and color images of the Townhouse and each Mini Album Page. Plus I added Notes and Tips I learned via trial and error that will assist you in the creative process. The cost for this online class is $19.95.

Please remember as with all my workshops this project can be recreated using a lot of items you might already have on hand.

To sign up, follow this link! See you soon.

I finally get to share the layouts I created using this months kit by Cocoa Daisy. As you can see the June Kit and the Add On Kit are very versatile. It was loads of fun playing the Daisy Divas once again.

I used Vintage Photo Distress Ink to darken the Eyelet Cardstock. Traced a dinner plate to create the circle out of patterned paper, cut out leaves and butterflies from a piece of Webster’s Pages patterned paper using a craft knife, attached Maya Road green pom pom trim around the edge, created a scallop border using scallop scissors and a paper piercer, accented the horizontal strip with self adhesive pearls then used my sewing machine to add additional texture by sewing a straight stitch along the circle and horizontal strip.

I wanted this layout to have a yearbook feel so I created journaling blocks the same size as the photos and arranged them as you would in a yearbook. Then I added basic information (schools and event) about my Mom and Dad using Tiny Alphas by Making Memories. I added Maya Road Crochet Trim around the outer edge of the layout to soften the edges just a tad. I accented the flower’s button with a bow using Red & White Twine.

Tomorrow I will show you the little wall hanging I createad with left over scraps from the kit. I am also including a little tutorial on how I made the velvet flowers.

Yesterday I received my complimentary issue of Memory Makers July/Aug issue… This layout is part of the “Trends To Try Today” article by MMM ’08 Staci Etheridge. It shouldn’t be too hard to guess my trend… Glitter! I used pre-glittered patterned paper and chipboard letters, created my own glittered brads, accented patterns on my papers using Stickles and altered chipboard using loose glitter. Yes, I love glitter.

It is sad to think that this is my last publication with Memory Makers. I have so loved working with everyone and will certainly miss them and this magazine.

Organizing Your Scrapbook Supplies is out. I have read this book from cover to cover and plan on using lots of ideas that past and present Memory Makers Masters shared. Right now, I have serious organization issues in my scraproom.

Here are a few of the layouts I created for this book project. I’m sure you will recognize the Jolly Old Fellow featured below.

Today I hit my 30 projects completed and I must say not being able to share is killing me. This process has really stretched me creatively and I’m thrilled. Tomorrow I will be in the 60′s. It might only be 69 more projects to go but it is STILL in the 60′s. Oh it makes me so happy. I can feel 50 coming on fast.

Using fabric in place of patterned paper is always a fun change and it adds lots of interesting texture. Hitting the remnant section in fabric stores is one of my favorite things to do. Digging in the bins is like digging for hidden treasures… you just never know what wonderful patterns you are going to find.

I’m so excited that my first book deadline is fast approaching and I am actually right on target. Which just so happens to be the main reason I have been a bit of a bad blogger as of late. But this is the deadline were they use items for the cover of my book and I want every rhinestone, button, rubon, ribbon and piece of glitter in the perfect spot.

Oh one other thing… I have been thinking about doing more step by step tutorials on my blog. If any of you have a certain technique how to question please leave me a comment or email me and I will post a step by step tutorial for you.

Hope you all have a great weekend.

I was given a Masters Challenge and thought sometimes it’s not about the people or the moment I like to scrap about but the item. So here is my challenge…. “Get out your trim, buttons, chipboard and patterned paper and create a layout about a childhood toy or family artifact that still brings you joy. Post your responses to the creativity challenge in the forum at memorymakersmagazine.com/masterschallenge.

The hobby horse shown in this layout was put through some very vigorous rides. My brother Richard would rock back and forth as far as the springs would allow and go as fast as he could. Sometimes this action would lift the metal frame off the floor which scared me. He rode this hobby horse like a true cowboy on a mission. I on the other hand had a fear of falling off and would gently rock back and forth like a true little lady.

On page 34 you can learn how to make these flowers.

Okay, I stayed up WAY to late last night but I really wanted to finish this challenge on ScrapGal so I could get a good start this morning on the mini album I was asked to create. I will be able to tell you for who and show it to you after the 20th. I plan on using all the great photos I got of the girls Easter Sunday. I am still laughing at those two. They were so funny. We had a lot of laughs.

Okay… here is my finished Peeps layout. I changed the original photo as I felt the first one looked to small and the peeps really not as much of the focal point as they should be since the layout is about peeps. So I retook the photo and replaced the original 4 x 6 image with a 5 x 7 close up image of my Peeps. I think it works much better.

FYI… if you decide to try and warm some in the microwave only heat them for about 10 seconds. Any longer than that they will explode. Also, dipped in some melted chocolate morsels and sprinkles is mouth watering  goodness.