Punky Sprouts Album

Hi guys, this month we had a swap with Therm-o-Web and we got to use their Glitter Dust! I made this as an empty album for my cousin who is expecting her first child, a little girl!

I love the Soul Sprout album. It has so many different pages that make it so much fun to create with! I covered all my chipboard pages with patterned paper and sprayed one side of the canvas page with the Glitter Dust. I also sprayed some Canvas Stems and Lacey Blossoms.

I really love this spray! When you use a lot of coats of it, it's like liquid starch for my canvas pieces and makes the Lacey Blossoms feel almost plasticky.

Here's a closer look at the Lacey Blossom with the Glitter Dust on it. You can see how it's almost like a light coat of Glossy Accents on it. Super cool!

I layered my Blossoms together and added some rubons and stickers on top of the Parchment one. They take the rubons really well! I created a pocket on the other page.

A little photo mat on one side and another pocket with the Punky Sprouts tag and My Mind's Eye one as well.

I created a larger photo mat on the left page and the right page is the canvas one that I sprayed. I used 3-4 coats because I really wanted the color to show.

And, the back cover. A Lacey Blossom with a label sticker embellished with pearls. It's the perfect spot for a little note to the recipient of this album.

Supplies Used-

Punky Sprouts
~Soul Sprout Album
~Lil Lacey Blossoms
~Lil Parchment Blossoms
~Lil Canvas Stems

Therm-o-Web
~Glitter Dust in Pink

Other
Patterned Paper-My Mind's Eye
Stickers-My Mind's Eye
Rubons-My Mind's Eye
Tag-My Mind's Eye
Brads-My Mind's Eye
Butterfly-Jenni Bowlin
Punches-Ek Success, Martha Stewart
Dies-Tim Holtz
Ribbon-American Crafts
Bling-Kaiser Craft
Staples-Tim Holtz
Large Twine-Local Craft Store

Getting All Dolled Up!

We attended Andrew's cousin's wedding this weekend.  It was a lovely wedding at a gorgeous outdoor venue.  Their colors were green and brown and it was just beautiful.

 

Here's a shot of Andrew's cousin George and his lovely bride, Jenn cutting the cake.

 

 

After the ceremony, I decided that this would be a perfect time to get some shots of my little family as we were all dolled up for the wedding. 

 

 

I picked the settings on this one and Andrew took the picture.  Aud's smile is a little less than happy, don't you think?  LOL!  She was either not looking at the camera, giving a huge funny faced grin, or this.  I chose this.  ;)

After that, I grabbed Andrew's sister Kathy and begged her to be my tripod so that I could get this next shot.  Evidence of me...in a skirt!  Whoo-hoo!!!

 

 

And, another shot by Kathy of Andrew and I. 

 

 I really like how these turned out (the light was gorgeous!) and I may be ordering some of these as canvases for our home.  I especially love the one of Andrew with the kids, so cute!  Next time, I'm getting one of all four of us though!

Maggie Holmes Photography Class

I signed up for Maggie Holmes' Advanced Photography class earlier this year and it started last week.  These are the photos from my first assignment.  I'm really looking forward to getting feedback from Maggie on these!

I shot these in a field behind the bar where Andrew and I met.  Audrey was a little difficult to work with but by letting her pick which outfit to change into, take some funny face shots, and look at the ones we got, we did okay. 

 

Next time, however, I'll make sure she's had enough sleep!

Quickie Layout!

During my Seattle crop, I made a list of layouts I still needed for the fair.  For some reason I wrote down Christmas instead of Humor.  I already had a Christmas layout I wanted to use so I needed to bust out a quick layout the day before submissions ended. 

 

I dug out some old Cosmo Cricket and some of my favorite pics of dirty little Audrey and created this layout.

 

I must work well under a deadline because not only did it win first in the humor category, it also won Class Champion!  Here's to the last minute!  :)

New Layouts!

Not only did I have a ton of fun at my crop in Seattle, I was pretty darn productive, too!  I made four (four!!!) layouts and some cards. 

 

This was the first layout I made and I just love how it turned out.  I used some of my favorite Crate Paper lines along with some of my favorite haven't-used-yet embellies. 

 

This layout was inspired by this pin.  I just loved the strip of blocks!  I also made a card using this technique.

 

With this layout I just really wanted to use a bunch of washi tape.  I didn't use any patterned paper on this layout, just two blocks of washi tape strips.  I love how the washi turned out and I'll use it again but I do with that I had my bouquet pic in B&W with me to scrap.

 Finally, I created this layout for the crop contest.  You had to create a layout following Bossy Scrapper's rules.  Bossy wanted us to use fabric, washi taper, a button, a banner, ink, the #1, an arrow, a border punch, more than one photo and stitching.  I've always loved these pics and just loved how this layout turned out.  Thanks, Bossy!!!  (If you'd like Bossy to tell you what to do, like her on Facebook here, and be sure and tell her Erica sent you!)

 

I think the secret to my success in getting these layouts done was giving myself lots of guidelines.  I chose my photos first.  I knew I needed some more layouts for the fair so I chose pics that would fit those categories, hence the wedding pics!  LOL!  I then packed some of my favorite kits from the Nook that I wanted to use with those pics.  Having those decisions made ahead of time, really helped me get started scrapping right away!

 

 Oooh!  Something else I just noticed.  I used Punky Sprouts goodies on each and every layout.  Man, I love that stuff!  Next week, I'll have my most recent Punky album up.  I really love how it turned out so be sure to come back and check it out

He's 40!!!

 Today my handsome husband turns 40!

Happy birthday, babe!  I love you so much and appreciate all you do for me and for our kids.

Love you!!!

Wednesday Randomness

~I'm currently trying to get caught up with Project Life.  :)  I just ordered a ton of pics dating back to the second week of June! 

~The basil in my garden got ignored so now I'm belatedly removing all the flowers and hoping that we've got enough time this summer to let them rebound.

~This may actually work out for the best because none of my Roma tomatoes have started ripening and I planted a lot of basil and romas so I could can my own spaghetti sauce.

~After finally getting around to repainting my toenails, the darn things started chipping two days later.  Normally this kind of behavior is reserved for my fingernails.  Craziness!

~I met a half Great Dane, half Mastiff named Bob a few weekends ago and I'm in love!  I'm pretty sure that neither my husband nor my half Great Dane, half Poodle named Lilly would be impressed though.

~Tomorrow my husband turns 40!  I don't think this makes him old but it does make me feel a little old.  I'll be married to a 40 year old man!

~Summer is almost over and I've still got quite a bit to do to get the kiddos ready.  Aud needs a backpack, Mickey needs the rest of the school supplies on his list and I need to take his birth certificate in to the school.

~I've been slowly updating my wardrobe from ratty jeans and old work out tees to a more presentable look.  Pinterest has been a huge help in this department!  You can find my Clothing board here.

Can you tell I like aqua?

~I'm taking Maggie Holmes' Advanced Photography class and I'm super excited!  However, I'm still trying to get a handle on Lightroom and get everything up on my new computer.  It'll be interesting to see how well I can edit with this setup and to see how quickly I get used to Lightroom.

Well, that's enough brain dumping for today.  I'm off to get a handle on my massive to-do list! 

Have a good one!  :)

Worth Every Mile!

Last month I packed up my car and drove all the way to Seattle for a one day crop. 

Now, I know what you're thinking, a five hour drive (one way!) for a one day crop?!?!?  Erica, are you nuts? 

Well, yes I am!  And, it's so worth it because I get scrap with a great group of girls who understand Washi addiction and know manufacturer names along with the names of those who design for them. 

Basically, we talk shop.  ;)

Oh, and I have coffee.  A very rare occurrence as I think this was my fourth coffee of the year.  It was sooooo yummy though!

Here's a group shot of all us ladies (minus Kim, our hostess).

And, this was the coolest part of the crop.  We clipped up all the layouts we made at the crop!  I loved getting to see every one's work.  These gals are seriously talented!!!

I'll post the layouts in the next few days.  (I just got a couple of them back from the fair.)

Thanks for stopping by!

Photos at the Fair

This was my fourth year entering photos at our county fair and it was my most succesful year as well!

This picture of Audrey won first place in B&W portraits!  It's one of the outtakes from our Christmas card photos that I took last year.  I seriously adore this shot of her!

This shot of a 1935 Ford Coupe won first place in B&W still lifes.  It also won my heart and I told Andrew if he ever screws up big time, just to buy me this car and we'll be good.  ;)

This picture of Mickey won second place for color portraits and it's the first time I haven't won this category.  Mickey's really miffed that he only got second.  I've tried to explain to him that it's about my skill not the him as a subject but he's still mad Audrey got first.  Hee!

This picture won the overall Theme category.  I'm pretty excited because I think the prize for this isn't just the $4 for first, it's two season passes to the fair for next year!  Yeah!!!

The other cool thing about this photo is that I got to present it to Wayne Brooks, the announcer for our rodeo.  I'm pretty sure he liked it!  ;)

And, here's my photo up on the big screen. 

Gotta love a little small town fame!  Hee!

Punky Sprouts Cards and a Challenge!!!

I just realized that I never shared my Punky Sprouts projects for July!  We were given some really cute stamps from Coco Daisy to work with.  I really wanted to focus just on the stamps and all the Punky Sprouts products so that's all I used!

This first card, I stamped on a Parchment Blossom and fussy cut it and then mounted it on my card with foam tape. 

I had picked up a fun woodgrain embossing folder a few weeks back and really wanted to use it so I embossed some kraft paper and then lightly rubbed some white ink on it to bring out the pattern.  I stamped the fun arrows on a canvas Lil Stem and then outlined them a little more with my white pen so it would show up a bit better.  (Someday I'll find the perfect white ink pad!)

On this last card, I used a set of Cocoa Daisy stamps that I already had.  I layered some Parchment and Lacy blosssoms and cut slits in the top one to add my kraft banners. 

If you love the Cocoa Daisy stamps, you can get a stamp subscription here and buy individual stamps here.  Their stamps are really great quality and a fantastic bargain! 

If you need some of these adorable Punky Sprouts products, you can now find them in our online store!!!!  Check it out here and tell them Erica sent you!  ;D

Our August challenge is up on the Punky Sprouts blog here!  The challenge is to add some sparkle to your projects.  I'd love to see you play along!

Family Reunion

So, you may be wondering why I'm back all of the sudden.  I've got two words.  New.  Computer!!!!

With my old computer, it would take me ages to get a blog post ready.  Uploading photos, choosing them, editing them all took a ridiculously long time.  Now, the only thing slowing me up is the speed at which Blogger will accept my photos!  LOL!  With my bad hip and a crazy busy six weeks, I just didn't have the ability to blog.  But now I'm back!  Brace yourselves folks, there's a bunch coming!

Here's one of the events that kept July and the first half of August so crazy busy...my family reunion!  This year, Andrew only stayed one night and we brought Lilly with us.  Lilly did really well in the car considering how little she goes for rides.  She got sick three times on the way over and once on the way back.  I was well prepared with towels so no big deal.  :)

My cousin and another cousin's daughter.

My cousin and her girls.

The daughter of another cousin (there's over 20 of us cousins!) who was supposed to be napping but was hilariously opening the tent door from her pack-n-play. 

Little Man and his second cousin.

Our Lilly!

The little kids were having camping chair wars, leaning into each other, falling over and erupting in giggles!!!

The playground that wasn't there when we were kids!

One way to get a bunch of kids to let you take their pic...funny faces!

A group of my dad's cousins and family that came up from California!!!

And finally, a group shot with most of us.  (A few had already left and some were out on the water, I think.)

I didn't get as many pictures as last year due to having the dog and not having Andrew there the whole time but I still got plenty of family time and that's the most important!

Rodeo!!!

 The kids and I went to the Clackamas County Fair and Rodeo on Tuesday.  These are some of my favorite shots from the rodeo!

If you're going to the rodeo this Friday, keep an eye out for me!  I might be presenting my picture from last years rodeo to the announcer, Wayne Brooks.  It was a picture I took of him that won the Theme Category this year.  Kinda really excited about that!