saturday . . .

What are you doing late night Saturday??? Probably sleeping as you should be :) I am blogging - finally - I don't know why it has been taking me a week to find time to post these days. I was on such a roll!!! What have I been doing these days . . .

helping this little man grow . . .

oh & these little feet too (just so cute I had to share!!) . . .

oh & yes - I have been growing quite a bit myself (finally a pregnancy pic - all almost 28 weeks of me - talk about a belly people - I mean seriously!!!) . . .

The baby update - well the sonogram showed the little man is growing pretty large - 3 lbs already which you'd typically see at 30/31 weeks - the current measurements from the sonogram show this little guy is measuring 17 days ahead of schedule . . . my due date has still not been changed though - each time I go in he is measuring more & more ahead so this should be interesting . . . it makes me feel like I have no idea when this little man is actually coming . . .

Ryan & I have been enjoying preparing for the upcoming holiday . . .

getting hands dirty in pumpkins . . .

being silly . . .

making these adorable spider candy holders . . .

So many fun things to do at Halloween!!! I'm hoping to try these Jack 'o Lantern Cookie Lollipops out with him tomorrow . . .

Speaking of Halloween . . . I created this fun Halloween centerpiece decor for my weekly assignment over at Blue Moon Scrapbooking :)

The tree was from Joann's - an unfinished wood alterable that I painted black & then covered in patterned paper & die-cuts from K & Company's Spooktacular line. I actually purchased one for Ryan too & he painted his & covered it in die-cuts as well . . . a fun activity we both were able to work on together!!!

If you are looking for a little sketch inspiration . . . check out the 2-pager I have posted this week over at The Scrap Room . . .

Oh & the prize - one of every paper from each of the following BoBunny collections . . .

Check out all the details HERE on their blog - you have until Monday night to turn in your layouts so get crackin'!!!!

I did do a little "non-assignment" scrapping the other day - Doodlebug was having a contest on their Facebook page & the prize was one of everything from their new Christmas, Bon Appetite, and Welcome Home lines & guess what the winning layout was . . .

I LOVED this adorable Spooky Town paper & knew it would be perfect for Ryan's first Halloween pics!!! Seriously - the cutest brads ever in this line!!!!

ttyl - julie :)

saturday . . .

I have spent so many wasted hours trying to decide about the crib/bedroom furniture for the baby room - I don't know why - it is ridiculous really. I think I am simply not a decisive person . . . I was going to wait until tomorrow to blog - but instead opted to quit staring at the furniture websites & actually try & accomplish something tonight :) We have had such a busy week - trying to get lots of baby arrival planning done - shopping for this & that - organizing the room (which I have barely started) - I can't believe we have only 13 weeks left (maybe even less . . . we'll see!!!) I go to the doctor's on Tuesday & am anxious to see this little one's growth :) I feel like he is having a party in there some days - just bouncing around & kicking & turning. Looking forward to actually "seeing" him on the screen :)

I did splurge today & buy this . . .

It is a Vera Bradley tote that I plan on using for a diaper bag - she actually sells specific sized bags that are considered "diaper bags" but they are more expensive than this & smaller - so I opted for this one. I love the print & since I will be using it on a daily basis, I'm dividing the cost by the number of days I'd be using it & in the end it is quite a steal per day :) LOL!!!

Ryan & I went to a fall festival at Homestead Gardens today - here's a pic of the handsome little devil, growing up so fast . . .

and here he is again - yes he is dancing - my silly guy . . .

Even though we have plenty of pumpkins he always seems to find just one more to bring home :)

I was telling my mom the other day what a unique experience parenthood is - one minute you can be overflowing with how perfect the moment is, how on top of the world you feel from one little thing your child said or did. However two seconds later a child can do or say something in the throws of a tantrum that is so hurtful , so emotionally draining. The yo-yoing can be exhausting - especially now being pregnant . . . what a journey of patience parenting is isn't it?? I hit a bit of a scrappy slump this week - my focus was on the baby (rightfully so) and trying to get organized in that realm of my life. No worries though - I do have a few scrappy projects to share . . .

First up is my Magpie Club sketch & layout!!! Here is the sketch for October . . .

And here is the layout I came up with . . .

Love these Lily Bee rub-ons . . . perfect for the title

More Lily Bee rub-ons used to cover this tag & fab Lily Bee papers punched & layered to create this leaf embellie - a quick pen outline on each really helped to make them "pop"!!

Be sure to head on over the the Magpie Club blog - Tara is running this challenge through the end of November as she will be skipping the November kit due to the upcoming arrival of a new little one :) Hope you can play along!!

I also had a chance to play with some of my Blue Moon design goodies - lots of fun Dear Lizzy Enchanted & My Minds Eye Lost & Found on this . . .

Love these Dear Lizzy tickets & the Jenni Bowlin vellum butterflies!!! Yes, I broke out my machine & did some stitching - I feel in love with it all over again :) It was the perfect touch for this "soft" layout. See those stamped blocks - they are actually just the edge of one of my Tim Holtz Distress Ink pads - love the look of this block border!!

Hope all is well with everyone & thank you so much for the comments you leave - I read every one & they really make my day!!!! Have a fab Sunday - be back to share more soon :)

ttyl - julie :)

sunday . . .

Seriously, grab a drink and maybe a snack - this is going to be a long one . . .

I have been meaning to blog for the past few days, but just haven't been able to & I have SO MUCH to share that I knew I would actually have to carve out an evening to get this all down :)

We have been enjoying fall here . . .

But also - anticipating Christmas :) I know - too early but we saw these jammies at Carters & I knew if I didn't buy them now - I'd never find his size in December. He was so excited to try them right on & wear them to Grammy & Grandpa's so they could see :)

Baby Bonner Update: Tuesday marks WEEK 26 - can you believe it???? 14 weeks left if I go full term - I am hoping to go a bit early (doesn't every pregnant woman??) . . . Ryan was a week early & with the baby measuring ahead I am hoping. The last time I was in the sonogram tech felt my due date would be more like January 4th or 5th rather than the 18th (we grow them big here!!!) but the doctor wasn't ready to change any due dates just yet. I go in again next week so I will be anxious to see what the sonogram shows. I have finalized my bedding choice for the nursery . . .

I love the wall of monogram letters & will be searching away on Etsy & hopefully (if time allows) creating the alphabet in different monogram letters to cover the wall - love the look of it in this pic . . .

These days I am feeling excited and nervous and happy and tired but most importantly SO VERY THANKFUL :)

Have I been scrapping - absolutely - busy as a bee these days. A little more tired this week but so inspired by so many things . . . I am totally in awe of this artist - I am one who can really appreciate some hand-stitching & this girl is just ridiculously talented at it - she also has a free "blog class" on hand-stiching this is super informative - I also noticed she will be teaching an upcoming class at Your Scrapbook Stash & I will definitely be signing up for that - be sure to check out her work!!!

Some of you asked about my templates for the "Dates To Remember" calendar - I still need to figure out how to share these online - any suggestions??? I suppose there are some file sharing services - can anyone suggest any good free ones??? If you are interested in these files for personal use - please email me at dailyscrap@gmail.com & I will be happy to forward the files to you :) They can be printed out on 8 1/2 " by 11" cardstock & then cut to fit on your pages.

Now - looking for some "sketchy" fun???? In addition to the regular monthly sketch challenges at My Creative Scrapbook, Pam is holding a 3 month Super Spectacular Sketch Contest!!! Each month will feature a new sketch (created by me) and some really AWESOME prizes!!! Here is the October sketch for this special contest . . .

And check out the grand prize for this month's winner . . .

Holy cow - right???? Check out all the details HERE - you do not have to be a subscriber to join in the fun (although Pam's kits are fabulous) so head on over!!!

I am TOTALLY loving designing for Blue Moon Scrapbooking - Lisa & Scott send us such a mix of fun products every month & I feel so lucky to a part of their talented team!!! This past week's layout I created showcases that adorable pic I posted a few weeks ago with Ryan jumping in the hay . . .

I created the "diecut" paper using the this large bracket border punch by EK Success - LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this - who knew a simple piece of kraft paper could look so fancy :) The little cards peeking out are from patterned paper in the new Bo Bunny Learning Curve collection & the circles are a mix of papers from My Minds Eye. That little heart - well I had to sneak in a bit of Jillibean Soup - don't you just love how easy you can make hearts from the petals of their canvas flowers???

Love the shape of these Hambly rub-ons, although instead of rubbing them onto the paper, I simply cut them out & glued them down in the center with a glue dot. They seemed to just float overtop of the page then which I liked :)

The title work is a mix of a 7Gypsies sticker & these FABULOUS Girl's Paperie chipboard letters. The Girl's Paperie products are awesome & if you haven't sought out (and purchased) their new Halloween & Christmas lines - do it - you will LOVE them!!!!

Papers: BoBunny Learning Curve, My Minds Eye Lost & Found

Stickers: 7gypsies 97% Complete Stickers (Time)

Rub-Ons: Hambly Studios Rub-Ons Remnants Brown

Alphas: Girl's Paperie Paper Girl Eclectic Chipboard Alphabet

Other: Jenni Bowlin Brown Vellum Butterflies

My next project for Blue Moon features some yummy My Mind's Eye & Dear Lizzy goodies so make sure to check in later this week :)

In addition to my regular Design Team work - I have been working on another project behind the signs . . . it began as Guest Design Team position months ago that never really came to light because the owner, Shyloh, as me if I would join her permanent staff :) So I have been working away creating & can finally reveal that I will be designing page kits for A Page 4 All Seasons. This is a FABULOUS page kit club that offers monthly subscriptions for 12 x 12 double page layouts!!! Although I typically create single page layouts - it has been so fun & exciting to stretch my creativity in a new direction :) I am really enjoying it & have so many fun kits to share with you over the coming months. For the month of November, I created a layout for the "She Said" club -

A close-up of the left side . . .

And a close-up of the right side . . .

All kits come pre-cut, all you have to do is glue!!!! Check out all the details on subscriptions HERE. If you have any questions, feel free to email me & I will do my best to answer them :) For December I will be working with the "He Said" club & can't wait to reveal that one to all of you!! I worked with a fabulous new Christmas line showcasing some gorgeous deep colors!!! In addition I have several additional layouts that will be up for sale on the site soon & even a cute mini album kit!!! More info on these soon :)

The last thing I have to share tonight (as if there hasn't been enough already - right??? I am just chatting up a storm!!!!) is some wonderful news I just found out on Thursday. Samantha Walker has asked me to join a fabulous group of very talented ladies who will be designing for her. Samantha designs papercrafting products for Creative Imaginations, stamps for Unity Stamps, fabric for Riley Blake Designs, and digital designs for Silhouette. She is a VERY talented graphic designer & has chosen this group of ladies (me included!!!!) to work with her fabulous products . . .

Jennifer Ingle MA
Jennifer Beason FL
Guiseppa Gubler UT
Karen Maldonldo CA
Julie Bonner MD
Eva Dobilas CA
AJ Otto WA
Cristal Hobbs TN
Nancy Doren CO
Katherine Bley IN

She wrote me the sweetest welcome letter & I am so excited to start creating with her goodies!!! She has such a unique vision for this team - wanting it not to be a single manufacturer's team, but rather "a team that could showcase how to mix & match products that I design for multiple manufacturers within one single group". I feel so lucky to have been picked for this awesome opportunity - a HUGE thanks to Samantha!!!

Check out a sampling of her awesome paper products . . .

stamps . . .

fabrics . . .

and digital designs . . .

Off to tidy up my scrapbook room & work on a few sketches!! I will be back later this week with my Magpie layout & sketch, as well as more from Blue Moon Scrapbooking!!!

Have a fab start of the week :)

ttyl - julie :)