monday

Ah, the start of a new school year!!!  Busy & hectic times but happy to be back in a "schedule".  We have a first grader in this house . . .



Doesn't he look so old here??  I had to snap another - this looks more like my little guy here - full of that cheesy grin :)



And I have one more headed to school this fall - preschool that is - Nicholas had his meet & greet this week.  He was able to meet his new teacher & classmates this past Wednesday.  He just LOVED the classroom & all the fun stuff in there!!!  He seemed really excited - although a bit serious in this pic right before we headed there . . .



So I will have three mornings a week to myself - what??  It's been almost three years since I had any regular kid-free time - I can't really remember what that's like.  I suppose I will be headed to my old hangout - Barnes & Noble - coffee and laptop time!!!  I have an online class I am starting in a week so it will be great to have that time to work on stuff :)

And, this is MY TIME of the year - I love fall and winter.  I'm so excited it's September finally :)  If I could just get rid of this hot, humid weather we are currently having.  I need some cool air, falling leaves, and fireplaces crackling away :)   (It is very possible we decorated for fall & Halloween today - crazy I know - we couldn't help it - September is here!!!)

I had a chance to dive into some Fancy Pants Designs goodies this weekend!!  My first layout features their Memories Captured collection.  I just love the color scheme of this line & the fun vintage embellishments.  I snapped this pic earlier in the summer when we had gathered with cousins.  This is of the boys making our red, white & blue strawberry treats - check them out HERE.



I kept the photo small, and layered lots of fun embellishments around it.



Here is a close up of my journaling.  I simply typed it out on vellum and then adhered it to the page by machine stitching along the bottom.



My second layout features the Down by the Shore collection.  Such a fun, bright color palette!!



I used one of their title pieces for my own title.  Tucked behind the title and photo is a Silhouette cut file meant for a 3 x 4 card.  I simply enlarged it and then machine stitched down the paper to the vellum.  I then added a number of the adorable fish rub-ons and a few sequins.



I kept the journaling simple and just stitched down the side to attach it to the page.  You may also notice the cluster of buttons in the middle of the pics.  I stitched down each button with twine :)



Hope all is well in your neck of the woods!!!  Have a great week & thanks for stopping by :)