wednesday . . .

Seriously - this may be the longest post ever . . . that's what happens when you wait over 2 weeks to post!!!!

Where in the world have I been????? All I can say is this summer has been crazy & while we have enjoyed it, I am totally ready for school to begin & the routine to set in - anybody with me???? I have LOTS to share but let me start off by showing you the king of "please - no green beans" . . .

Seriously - not gonna do it . . .

Yes, that's right, we are in the world of baby food & while Nicholas pretty much likes everything - it's a no go for green beans - I can't blame him, they don't look too appetizing in that little plastic container :)

Ryan is a busy guy, full of energy & lots of ideas - keeping them both happy throughout the day is still a tricky thing, but I am slowly but surely figuring it all out. Ryan, as I have mentioned before, LOVES science. We found this awesome kit a while back at TJ Maxx & while it didn't look overly promising when I originally found it - I couldn't pass it up for $7.99.

Thank goodness I didn't - it was awesome. It is all about color & began with a number of easy but fun science experiments & ended having them construct the color wheel and use the colored water to "paint" on watercolor paper included in the kit. I totally recommend it!!! I tried to search around to find you all a site you could buy it online but it seems to be out-of-stock at Walmart, Amazon, and Barnes & Noble. I would keep checking back at those sites or look around online - there were a few more obscure sites that had it but I haven't shopped at them so you'll need to do some investigating yourself. He LOVED it!!!!

Now, what else has been going on . . . well Justin & I did slip away (thanks to Mom, Dad & my sisters for making this happen) for 3 days & 4 nights - say what???? Yes, it has been a long time since we have been able to take such a lengthy trip but it was well needed for the two of us, a chance to do a bit of reconnecting, lots of talking, lots of relaxing, and LOTS of fun!!!! Now, believe it or not the scrapper forgot her camera - ridiculous I know. It was a bit hectic leaving & we actually arrived at the gate 10 minutes before the flight was scheduled to leave - against all odds we made it on the plane & to Quebec City, Canada we went . . .

Believe it or not - these were from my cell, with a bit of tweaking from iphoto :) I LOVED Canada - it was absolutely beautiful & so much fun!!!!!!

Now, have I been scrapping, well yes I have - LOTS actually - just so much I can't share yet :) However, I did miss sharing quite a few things in the craziness of the past few weeks so let's start off with some Jillibean Soup, shall we :)

First up is a layout I created using a mix of their lines & of course my favorite corrugated alphas!!!

My favorite thing about this layout is the stitching - I have always been so inspired by Kinsey Wilson, but I just don't have the patience to do all that hand-stitching with thread. Instead - I machine stitched & love the effect it had on the overall layout :) Of course, I couldn't help but layer up a bunch of the JB die-cuts & stickers - LOVE them!!!

There is actually a corresponding sketch to this that is being used as a challenge right now . . .

Join in the fun - check out all the details here.

Again, mixed up the lines quite a bit on this one as well . . . love these pics of little Nicholas enjoying his books . . .

I had fun with these layered circles - just a few punched circles & brads stacked up . . .

Oh & yes, a quick & easy little card - featuring these gorgeous JB corrugated butterflies . . .

Next up, SEI!!!! I just got their new lines in my hands today & can't wait to play with them - totally awesome stuff :) If you haven't heard - they have a design team call going on so be sure to check it out HERE. They are a fabulous company to work for & have always been super sweet & generous!!!! For the month of July we were asked to work with their A Fair Day line. While my last post featured more of a generic-themed layout with this line - I totally went "Fair Day" with this one!!!

There are so many fun die-cuts & borders with this collection - perfect for your fair & carnival pics from this summer!!!

Oh & yes - I have also been working hard at my monthly subscription club layouts over at A Page 4 All Seasons :) I never shared my August layouts with you all - but they were bright & fun featuring Echo Park's Splash & Summer Days collection. Unfortunately - it looks like they are both sold out already :( I thought I'd still share them though . . .

Next up for September is My Mind's Eye Lime Twist & Echo Park's Country Drive . . .

If interested, check the details out HERE before they are gone!!!

I still have more to share - a new SEI layout & sketch challenge this week & 6 more projects I had a blast creating for a Guest Designer spot at . . . well - I can't share til next week - you'll just have to wait :)

Before I go, a HUGE HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my mom. She is simply amazing - there is no one like her. I don't have the words to describe what an impact she has had on my life & continues to have every day she is in it. I know that she impacts my own children in the same way as I see the genuine love they have for her every time they are with her. She is truly what I aspire to be as a mom - LOVE YA MOM!!!

Thanks for sticking with me everyone - hope all is well out there!!!

ttyl - julie :)