Announcement!!!

I am thrilled to announce that I will once again be joining the Cookin' Up Creations Challenge Team for the July-December term. 

Last year, the Good Lord intervened, and made it apparent that I should take some time off from creating.  It revolved around a pay cut for teacher's at work and how that was going to cut into my hobby funds.  Little did I know that within 2 short months, my mother would be diagnosed with two inoperable brain tumors and would pass.  My world was turned upside down and every moment of spare time would be spent with her, family, and friends.  Little else mattered in my world.  It took me a while to begin to recover and with a few set backs, I am back creating and scrapbooking.

I am not one to scrapbook or even take pictures of myself but my first job for CUC was to create a layout about love.  I know that I want my children to remember some of the positive things about me when they are older and I am gone and I want to make sure that there are decent photos to remember  (My daughter is a One Direction fan and of course couldn't resist this pose) so here is a layout about things I love:

Now I am pleased to be with this amazing and inspiring group of ladies once again.  Please join us for the month of July for a Nursery Rhyme themed array of Blue Plate Specials!   August also proves to be a barrel of fun!!!

Buttons, Buttons, Who's Got the Buttons - Show and Tell Saturday

I couldn't resist sharing with you some amazing button projects that I have found on the web lately.  I absolutely love using buttons as embellishments on my scrapbooking layouts.  In fact, as usual, I have a tad bit of a hoarding problem when it comes to buttons.  Shhhhh . . . don't tell - otherwise my daddy will quit buying me more.  He finds tons of buttons at garage sales - gotta love him!  Check out these ideas for all of you who may have a teeny tiny hoarding problem too!

1.  Button Art - I love this button tree by Monica Furlow.  So inspiring!

2.  Look at this cute little Hot Air Balloon canvas from SugarBabe at SweetShoppeDesigns.com

3.  Don't have a button in the color you would like???  Dye a white one to make the right color!!!  This is a great tutorial!

4.  I love the rainbow look for this card using banners and buttons from WPlus9 Design Studio!

5.  And finally - you must check out the button art ideas at Tay's Rocha's blog - INSPIRING!!!!

So on your Fourth of July holiday - run your fingers through your button box and Play!  Man I miss teaching kindergarten!

Altered Canvas + a few extra layouts!

I just wanted to share my first Altered Canvas.  It was really easy to do, I included a photo of my kids of course, and it is really shimmery thanks to Tattered Angels!

I also wanted to share a few layouts that I recently created inspired by the folks over at Cookin' Up Creations and Nuts About Sketches.

Show and Share Saturday Printables

What is it about the end of the school year that makes you automatically think about the beginning of the next school year?  Curse my teacher thoughts!  Anywho . . . today I thought that I might share a few adorable printables.  They are perfect for recording school and afterschool thoughts but many would work for any situation!

1.  The first comes from Silverbox Creative Studio to record your child's thoughts after a big day!

2.  The second is a set of really cute tags from Craft Gossip.

3.  And I just love this memory card from Tip Junkie.

4.  How about these adorable printable journaling cards from Creativity Prompts?  I love the graph paper background!!

5.  And finally - check out this cute Memory Printable to record all school memories for each grade from Confessions of a Homeschool Blogger.

And now hopefully, I will take a bit of time this summer to relax before thinking about school again!  Don't hold your breath!  Happy Saturday!

Summer Sketch Inspiration - Show and Tell Saturday

I always "love"  (secretly despise) it when someone mentions that teachers are so lucky because they have summers off.  For me, summer is almost here.  I have one week left of school and meetings (although my summer plans include at least two hours of school work a day to get ready for next year.)  It has been a trying year and I have had very little time for scrapping.  That is all about to change this summer!  I have found some amazing sketches this week and thought that I would share some Summer Inspiration.  I cannot wait for my school year to be finished and then I can start trying out these sketches.  I will link back to this post as I use each of these!!!  Check these out! 

                                          from:  www.pencillines.com

                                           from:    NAS

CUC's 3rd Birthday

If you haven't checked out this amazing site with tons of inspiration, now is your chance.  Starting today,  Cookin' up Creations is celebrating their third birthday with their Birthday Bash.  Join us for fun games, great challenges and inspirations, and some birthday prizes!!