thursday . . .

It's funny - I was so excited for us (J & I) to get away - a break from the kiddos - an overnight escape. It was freedom, for any better word - as you mothers out there know, being a mother means always being responsible for another person - always helping, always worrying, always caring, always being there - and as wonderful as it all is - it is exhausting too. So to get away, even just for 24 hours was an exciting event to me & I don't think I felt this relaxed in a LONG, LONG time . . .

(Yes, I bought an Instax & it is just pure fun - love it!!!!)

Forgive my lack of self-timer skills - chopped off half my head :)

But the next day, when I returned to be with this one . . .

and this one . . .

well, being home felt even better :) It is so easy to get bogged down with the day to day, and to come back to it - even one night refreshed - well you can see things so much more clearly :) And the welcome home from these too - well - I felt like a million bucks :) Love my two little men :)

Being a slacker in the blog department . . . I have 2 layouts that are totally overdue being posted :( Sorry!!!

First up - some Watermelon Gazpacho from Jillibean Soup - this line is AWESOME!!!! Love how between a few sheets of patterned paper & embellies from the collection, I was able to create this fun Fourth of July layout :)

Here is a close-up of the title work - featuring my most favorite corrugated alphas ever!!!

LOVE all the new Pea Pod die-cuts & those kraft mini alphas are so fab!!!

Wait until you see all the other NEW Jillibean goodies coming out for CHA - they are RIDICULOUSLY FABULOUS - I mean it (and I am not just biased because I'm on the team - seriously WOWZER kind of stuff people) :)

Looking for some sketch inspiration???? Well this month's SEI sketch is up - full of multi-pics & these fun little pennant embellies :)

Here is what I came up with using their I'm An Athlete line - a GREAT sports themed collection people :)

Here is a quick close-up - love the tickets and die-cut stars from the collection :) See those cute pennants - just took some of the die-cuts and added a toothpick to the back - voila - instant pennant embellie :)

I haven't seen any pics of SEI's new collections yet, but I'm anticipating some WONDERFUL new collections - can't wait!!!

Speaking of NEW collections . . . have you seen this . . .

or this . . .

or this . . .

or this . . .

or this . . .

A new collection coming out this summer at CHA - a collaboration between Amy Tangerine and American Crafts - so fun - totally right up my alley kind of scrapbook supplies - I know I will have to have 2 of everything - better start my Christmas list early :) HAH!!!

Before I go, I am excited to share that I will actually be attending CHA this year!!!! This has been a dream for a LONG time - I have always wanted to go & it has (for one reason or another) never worked out - but thanks to Jill I will be able to attend this year - SO EXCITED!!! A bit nervous though, I have never traveled alone - so this will be a first - anyone else going??? I'd love to meet up with anyone who's going to grab lunch or do some perusing of the new CHA goodies :)

Oh - and I am SUPER excited to be guest designing in August for a manufacturer that I have LOVED, LOVED LOVED since way back when I began this hobby (or obsession - hah!!) - can't wait to be able to share with all of you soon!!!! Hope all is well out there :)

ttyl - julie :)

sunday . . .

I was hoping to have posted this a few days ago, but seeing how hubby was out of town & mommy was on solo - not too much scrapping & blogging has been happening :) As I mentioned in my last post, I had the honor of being asked to be a featured artist at Scrapbook News & Review. I am super excited to share the two layouts I created for the post . . .

As you may see from my close-ups, the technique I shared was a quick how-to on faux stitching. Check out the full post HERE.

While playing with all these October Afternoon goodies for my assignment, I was inspired to also take a bit of time to create with their newest line, Rocket Age, just for fun :) Here is what I came up with . . .

And a quick close-up on the title work - LOVE these sticker alphas!!!

Many of the comments from my post at SNR mentioned my "splattering" & how I did this . . . I also think a few of you have mentioned that in comments before. I took a few moments today to take a couple pics of this super simple process. The real trick is to not actually use the sprayer as intended :)

Step #1 Get yourself an old box to contain you paper - this process is messy so ideally the sides of the box have some height to them. (You can tell mine has been well used!!)

Step #2 Now, instead of using the sprayer, take the sprayer/pump out of the actual container. When unscrewing it and pulling it out, make sure to tap it a bit on the sides so that there is just a little ink remaining in the pump/tube.

Step #3 Fling the end of the sprayer (the tube part) towards your paper (this can get messy, hence why the box is helpful). This allows for some fun splatters here & there around your paper. Also - you can control where they fall a bit by flinging the tube towards the direction of the paper where you want the splatters.

Hope that helps!!! Be back soon to share more :)

ttyl - julie :)