wednesday . . .

8.03.2011

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" . . .

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Seriously - not gonna do it . . .

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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.

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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!!!!

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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 . . .

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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!!!

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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!!!

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

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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 . . .

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

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

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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!!!

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

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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 . . .

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

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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!!!

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Thanks for sticking with me everyone - hope all is well out there!!!
ttyl - julie :)

10 comments:

  1. Love the new blog and what awesome photos and projects!!!

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  2. Amazing LO's! Especially love your JB stuff and the Kinsey inspired LO is amazing. I always marvel at how she does all that hand stitching and there is never one wrinkle in the paper! Great shout out for Canada!! ;) We are fun!!! hee hee I grew up in Quebec. The boys look so cute and Nicholas is changing so much!!

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  3. Great layouts!!! and oh my goodness is baby starting to look so very much like his big brother! :)

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  4. Julie! I'm so flattered :) I love love love your fun layouts and now, thanks to you, I'm gonna have to get my hands on some Jillibean goodies (I just restocked my shopping cart at 2peas, ha!)

    Hope you're having a great week so far!
    Hugs, Kins

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  5. Such wonderful LOs and yeah for your mini vacation.

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  6. Your baby is growing so fast! I am enjoying watching both your boys grow up!

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  7. Love the photos, the layouts and the new Jillibean. The little getaway sounds like fun and just what you needed. Thanks for sharing.

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  8. Beautiful LO's, Julie!! Your work is always so inspiring!! I love all of the bits and pieces you add to them!
    I am glad you had a fun time in Canada!!!
    Happy Birthday to your mom!! You are so lucky to have such a wonderful mom!!

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  9. I have missed your posts! Your children are ADORABLE! YAY for a few nights away with your hubby! Those are so important! FABULOUS creations! I just love your work!

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  10. What a great blog post! I'm so glad you and Justin had fun in Canada! Love the pics of your kids! They are SO cute.

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