inspired

Finished two more layouts using my June Cocoa Daisy kit. I used to be afraid to use my favorite patterned papers. I didn't want to use them up or I wasn't sure how to incorporate them. I am the same way with clothes I've noticed. I usually buy and wear solids but admire patterns on other people and the rack. In scrapping Glitter Girl has inspired me to use my favorite patterns as backgrounds. This is a look that isn't for everyone but I'm finding I really like it! They make layouts that are busier so I don't add a whole lot else...but that is my usual style. Very few embellishments typically.

I am also not someone who usually buys patterned paper according to what is new or part of a specific line or manufacturer. But lately I am finding myself drawn to certain lines. The Pier is one of those! I really love this lines colors. So much that in the first layout above I got only one sheet of that background paper (sunshine) in the kit. Yesterday I went to my LSS and bought the only sheet they had left because I also loved side B!

I didn't buy much at my LSS...mostly patterned papers. I got a few Maggie Holmes from Crate Paper...I found I really like her lines...also I'm really excited about some new releases. Especially Say Cheese from Simple Stories. I don't usually like heavily themed stuff but I love Disney and love that this collection is somewhat universal and not overly themed. I watched all the new CHA videos on two peas and actually found myself loving a lot of new stuff!

Well...back to reality. Getting some stuff done before I have to head to class tonight. Really should be reading the long book chapter I have to lecture the class on next week. Ugh!

Happy Monday!

building your nest

A few weeks ago I got the June Cocoa Daisy kit I ordered myself as a treat for finishing the 1st of 2 classes I need to take for my counseling license. I love it. I really want to subscribe again...but really need to just order the months I can for now. I finished one layout with the kit so far...really have to get it together and do some more creating!

I love the background paper and the little details in the kit. This layout has another photo that is one of my favorites from late this winter/early spring. Ellie loves to pull all the blankets and pillows off the couch and make a little "nest" on the floor in the corner of the living room. It is so cute!

Thanks for looking!

weekend adventures

Ellie and her castle

My father-in-law and sister-in-law came down from Maine to visit us this weekend. It was fun. They hadn't seen the baby since last summer! Now she's a big kid. We went to a local "castle" in town next to the ocean. Hammond Castle was created by a man who holds records for the most patents. It's a beautiful, mid-evil home next to the harbor...

my favorite part of the castle

Daddy pointing out something to his girl

Thinking gargoyle - had fun editing this one.

view of the harbor

Later that day we went to the zoo in Boston and had so much fun...

Playing with the budgies - this is Ellie's favorite part! She tries to catch them. No fear!

Feeding the budgies with me. She's thinking..."Come a little closer little birdie!"

Swinging joy!

Sliding joy!

Hanging out with the gorilla.

Worn out from the day!

She got to have time bonding with family we rarely see and she had a lot of fun. But less sleep than usual! It was a battle trying to get her to fall asleep for a nap yesterday after they left. I lost the battle! So today we are aiming for a "normal" day at home!

Happy Monday!

buddies

This is one of my favorite recent layouts. It isn't quite finished yet. It is very simple...it needs a few details once I find just the right embellishments. But it highlights a photo from last 4th of July that I love. On our honeymoon my husband bought a stuffed Mickey for the baby. She loves it. Last 4th of July we were walking back home from the parade and she had on a little hoodie that has cat ears on it. It just looked so cute...the two of them. Cat and Mouse! A few months after this photo her original Mickey got lost. For Christmas I called up Disney World with our original receipt and was able to get my hands on a replacement that was a close copy of the original that was discontinued. It is exactly like the lost Mickey...it is still her buddy.

Hoping to find the perfect details to finish this one up....

Happy Friday!

little lady

On friday night we celebrated the life of one of my good friend's mothers. She passed away suddenly last week. There was a small gathering at a local beach where she loved to spend time with her children and grandchildren. It was sad and beautiful.

We really appreciated the rest of our long weekend. The baby and I spent time together on saturday while my husband got together with friends. I went to my LSS and got a few things...a bit of paper, adhesive, nothing too major. The baby can only tolerate so long of me looking around at things she can't grab! That night I did a layout using some Authentique papers and stickers I bought a few months ago. I love them! The photos are from last 4th of July....

I included some journaling written to baby girl. I had some thoughts in my head I wanted to write down for her...

I will post some other layouts I worked on recently later this week. Hoping to catch up on blogs while the baby is sleeping. I have class tonight...first class of summer session two. This will be the last class (hopefully) I need for my counseling license. Ugh. This has been a long hall. Not really excited about going but I plan on making the most of my day at home before class!

Happy Monday!

happy day after the 4th

waiting for the fireworks

We ended up having a really good 4th. At first it seemed like it would be almost non-existent. Cary had to switch shifts on the 3rd because we needed childcare. In our town the fireworks and parade are on the 3rd. But Ellie and I went to the parade...(I forgot my camera...gasp!)...and he had to work all day on the 4th. But when he got home we went out for fried seafood and found some fireworks in another town. It was so fun! The watching area was in a big farm field. Beautiful. Ellie had fun running around but when we needed her to sit with us just before the fireworks started she had a fun tantrum for herself. We both had visions of having to leave just as the fireworks began! But she held off and actually was really fascinated by the lights and fireworks. It was so nice! Maybe a new tradition? I haven't had a chance to upload photos from my camera from that adventure yet. This one is just from my phone when she sat still long enough to photograph!

 But here are a few layouts I worked on a few weeks ago. They go into two different albums I have going on. One of my childhood and the other is just a non-chronological album from this year and last. Yesterday I finished up a pile of layouts by adding dates and journaling. Even got one done with my new June Cocoa Daisy kit. Hope to post those in a few days... Here they are! Thanks for looking...

1st Skating Show: Here is another layout from a stack I did when I challenged myself to just use some new papers, etc. I had just gotten. This goes in my childhood album. I figure skated for 10+ years beginning when I was 8...with this annual skating show. It was to the music Macho Duck! So funny....but that was how it began!

Home: Another from the stack I challenged myself to do with the same pp. This layout is about our first home we bought last July. It is a little end-unit condo in my hometown. I never thought I would be able to buy a home close to where I grew up. We still want to have a regular house in the future, with a yard, etc. But this is just perfect for now.

The Story of a Girl: For this layout I forced myself to use two patterned papers I got in a grab bag years ago at my LSS. It was bright and colorful for my girl. I mixed in some much older embellishments and some newer. Over all it is a very basic layout...which actually tend to be the ones my eyes are drawn to most. Simple.

Happy Friday! Enjoy the weekend...

today

Ellie playing with sand dollars she found at the beach

My sweetpea brightens my mood. Things have been difficult lately in many ways. I was hoping things were looking up but we've had several household issues that are stressing me out. Waiting for the AC guy to come by and finish fixing the center air. It's been two weeks and hot and humid. The problem is a little more complicated than we originally thought. Then today I noticed a larger spot on the rug in our closet and a shadow of a spot starting on the babies carpet. I am concerned we are growing 2 spots of mildew. Ugh. We have a basement level condo with a cement basefloor. Never had a problem before but it appears to be starting? Don't even know where to start with that one. Hopefully the AC will be fixed in a day or two and we can get the humidity out of this house. Then I can tackle cleaning the spots. On top of all that for the past 6 months+ my car has had a reoccurring issue with stalling and it is happening again. We thought the problem was finally fixed after 2 mechanics having trouble diagnosing the issue. So that is going in the shop again tonight. I just want a week/day without a major issue. We are frugal with money and all this will be adding up and is concerning. So in an attempt to de-stress...here are some photos from my little green "space"and a layout or two....

First the layouts from the past month or so....

Easter: I did this one over the weekend. Just need to add journaling...

you & the budgies: Last summer/fall we went to the local zoo and they had these parakeets they call "budgies." The baby LOVED them! It was so cute to see her so fascinated. I just need to add the date and the journaling on this one. I really like how it turned out. I don't usually use super bold backgrounds but I loved this paper.

the fabulous lady in the big hat: I love this picture from last summer! I found this funny sunhat in the Gap on sale for her. She looked so funny and cute in it! This layout is very simple and finished.

And now some pictures from our little yard...

Thank you for looking and "listening!"

Happy Monday and Happy 1st of July!