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 :)

monday . . .

So we are on the early schedule - before we left for the beach 8:30 wake-ups, now 5:45 :( I will say I was actually able to shower in the morning today & get a bit of cleaning done so that was good :) Guess who turns 6 months tomorrow . . .

He is babbling, and lifting himself up so well, and grabbing EVERYTHING in site!!!! He can sit on his own briefly - then topples so mommy is always nearby :) He LOVES playing with his pacifier and twisting/shaking toys all over the place. He LOVES his brother - no matter how much he sometimes manhandles him. He smiles ALOT - happy, happy, baby :)

Thanks to Michelle - I was inspired to get out of auto on my camera & play around. I do ALOT of editing in iphoto but these are completely raw, no tweaking . . .

I need to explore ALOT more but I was happy with these for a beginner :)

With CHA just around the corner, the scrappy world is overflowing with sneaks . . . have you seen what SEI has in store???? Check out these fab new lines!!!!

Can't wait to see them all in person :)

Speaking of SEI - the new sketch for July has been posted . . .

And here is my take on it using their "A Fair Day" collection . . .

A close-up showing a bunch of their fabulous die-cuts I layered behind the pic . . . believe it or not the circle border strip was actually lollipops, I just cut off the sticks :)

Hope all is well out there - be back soon with more Jillibean Soup & my August page kits for A Page 4 All Seasons!!!

ttyl - julie :)

tuesday . . .

Sorry everyone - was hoping to pop in yesterday but got caught up in fireworks & some family fun!!! Hope everyone had a fab 4th!!!! Here is the project the project I mentioned the other day - a fun 4th of July themed silverware caddy for Jillibean Soup!!!

Sideview . . .

Covered the handled in LOTS of Jillibean twine :)

And a close-up of the star embellishments . . .

Oh & before I go . . . some new to me tunes I am diggin' right now - enjoy!!!!

Be back soon with some SEI goodies!!!
ttyl - julie :)

sunday . . .

Hello everyone - sorry for the lapse in blogging . . . we have been beachin' it :)

Although I didn't scrap at all last week - I do have a few past assignments to share. Guess what - I may just have become a cardmaker thanks to Jillibean Soup. Because we have to do at least one for our monthly assignments, I have really been trying hard to work up some "card mojo". I played around with their Spotted Owl Soup line & this is what I came up with :)

Yes - it's true - I stamped!!!!! And gems too - I'm out of control over here - hah :)

Ribbon - say what??? :)

Believe me - my love is layouts, but dipping my toes into the cardmaking world has been fun :) I did dive into some serious scrapping this weekend, trying to finish up CHA assignments for Jillibean Soup. Here is the line I was given to work with (by the way - it's just FABULOUS!!!!):

Jillibean just previewed another line this past Friday - check this awesome one out:

If you leave a comment on their blog, you could win the entire Sweet & Sour Soup collection so head on over!!!

Oh & if you are still looking for some JB soup of your own, check this out. Remember Tammi from My Scraps & More (she sponsored a blog giveaway here) - well she shared with me that here entire store is 50% off to make room for new CHA goodies & guess what - JB Blossom Soup, Dutch Mustard Soup, Spotted Owl Soup, Chilled Strawberry Soup, and Watermelon Gazpacho are in stock (as well as tons of other scrapbook goodies) so head on over & use coupon code CLEAROUT50 :)

Check back tomorrow, for I have a special 4th of July project I created to share :)

ttyl - julie :)

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 :)