Box-Fold Flowers & Masked Title

I just did a tutorial for the Scrapping Everyday Miracle's blog showing two fun techniques. Check it out HERE. Here's the final layout...

Patterned paper by Pebbles Inc. 

A Delightful Layout

For this layout I used Authentique's new Delightful line. It's so feminine and pretty...I just love it. I can't wait to make a few Mother's Day cards with it too.

The Owl Hat

A few weeks ago our neighbor Kristin brought this hat over for Ellie (she's having a little boy soon and thought she was buying an infant's size, so it was too big but she thought it would fit Ellie). Well, Ellie put that hat on and she wore that thing for 3 days straight....I finally got so tired of looking of it that I told her she really had to take it off (keep in mind some of those days it was in the 70s, and she was sweating, but she still wouldn't take it off). Now that I haven't seen the hat for awhile, I can finally look at these photos and have happy thoughts;). I'm looking forward to doing a scrapbook page entitled "That Da*n Hat!" (just kidding:)) They will make for a cute page...till she sees the page and decides she wants to wear the hat again;). 

3 Simple (Stories) Birthday Cards

I just did a feature for the Craft Warehouse blog-3 cards in 30 minutes! These are the 3 cards I made. Head over to the CW blog to see my tutorial with step-by-step instructions on how to make all three.

Happy Girl

Over at Scrapping Everyday Miracles we're doing a Sketch Challenge based on a great sketch by Design Team member Lisa Hoel. Here's my take on Lisa's sketch.

Ellie has always been such a happy, carefree little girl. She is super friendly, and always the first to go say "hi" to our neighbors (she's truly a little social butterfly:o)). I loved that this sketch allowed me to show her sweet smile throughout the last few years...and as I shared in the journaling, I hope she'll always bless others with it!

Some Simple (Stories) Projects to Share...

I just recently made three new projects for Craft Warehouse with the new "Fabulous" line from Simple Stories. I've never used Simple Stories before, but I loved working with it...it truly was simplicity at it's best!

This first project is a divided page protector layout...my friend Amy took these photos of Ellie right after she turned 4! I 

The paper, stickers and transparency (used on bottom right) are all from Simple Stories. The divided page protector is from Doodlebug. I also used some Scotch foam tape on some of the stickers to give them dimension, and a circle punch.

Here's my Designer's Choice layout (we could basically do whatever we wanted)...and had to use the alphas and some ribbon.

Patterned paper and stickers from Simple Stories

Kraft cardstock, alphas and ribbons from American Crafts

White flower from Petaloo

Circle punches and foam tape

And lastly, here's a card I created:

It was really simple...I just used a die cut from Simple Stories along with a punched circle of the coordinating patterned paper, and attached a couple stickers (with foam tape), and added some bling (from My Mind's Eye) on a kraft cardstock base. 

Simple Stories has some great new lines...you should check them out!

Our Easter Sunday

We had a wonderful Easter Day. It was a little hard, because it was the first holiday without Pete's mom Carol here (we lost her at the end of January), but it was still a day filled with many blessings.

We got to celebrate with our church family in the morning/early afternoon with an awesome brunch, great message, and an Easter Egg hunt for the kids afterwards (totally forgot to bring my camera---ugh!). Then we came home and Ellie had her own little Egg Hunt and found many treasures that the Easter Bunny had hidden:o). We actually had our very own little Easter bunny this year, as we were bunny-sitting for the 2nd grade's classroom pet, an adorable, sweet, cuddly bunny named Butterscotch. Then we were invited over to our neighbor's house for Easter dinner...the weather was so beautiful, we actually had a BBQ on their back patio. 

I have lots of photos to share with you...

This was the first thing Ellie found---it's a Littlest Pet Shop Blythe Girl...she has been asking for one for the last 3 months...so she was super excited to finally get it!

Here's our own little Easter Bunny, "Butterscotch".

I love this cute pose...

On the hunt for more...

Gotta love the Peeps (especially these pretty purple ones)!

What a bounty!!

 Ellie and Pete had fun designing this flower with some of her Easter candy stash.

These Lemonhead gummy flowers are delicious...and so pretty!

And Easter wouldn't be complete without Jelly Beans...

I love this photo of our goofy lab, Loretta, with Ellie and Pete.

Ellie got a new dress and so we decided to take a quick photo before we headed over to the neighbors' house for dinner.

Over at our neighbor's house...it so bright and sunny, Ellie and Pete borrowed some hats for shade.

Our neighbors gave everyone a chocolate bunny...and Ellie immediately attacked hers...poor bunny!

"You Bring Laughter" Layout

My first assignment for the "Scrapping Everyday Miracles" design team was to make a layout about someone who makes you laugh. That would be, without a doubt, Ellie. She makes me laugh everyday...whether it's something she does or something she says...she definitely brings laughter to this house!

Paper, borders & banner stickers-Echo Park

Alpha stickers and alpha paper (fussy cut)-October Afternoon

Twine-My Mind's Eye