SOCIAL MEDIA

Smile Beautiful | Scrapbook Layout

12.05.2018

While working on this layout I realized just how long it's been since I've used paper flowers on a scrapbook page...it's been awhile! I used to use them quite often and have quite a stash so it was fun digging through it and pulling some blooms out for this page.

Girl You Are Amazing | Scrapbook Layout

11.29.2018


This layout came together very quickly! Sometimes when I am wanting to scrap some photos and the inspiration just isn't there I'll look online or in magazines for inspiration. For this layout I found inspiration in my Fall 2018 issue of my Scrapbook & Cards Today magazine.

Card Cut Mini | Mini-Book

11.28.2018

Whenever I see a mini-book created by Paige Taylor Evans I know that I want to try and make one myself! When she shared her cut file for this mini card cut book I knew it was one that I would take a stab at. 

Decorating the Tree | Scrapbook Layout

11.27.2018

I had fun putting this scrapbook page together the other day while Zoey was at work. I had fun mixing up the fonts within my title, sometimes I forget to play around when it comes to working my alphas into the design!

Laugh & Cheer Holiday Card

11.26.2018

This card was put together (again) just by using scraps that were already out on my desk left over from scrapbook layouts that I’ve recently put together. At the last minute I grabbed the gold doily to place underneath the mason jar chipboard and it gives the card just a little something extra!

Holiday Cardmaking

11.25.2018

It has begun! I had some fun putting this card together by simply using scraps from the last couple of layouts that I have worked on. Most of these supplies are from Crate Paper's Snow & Cocoa collection.

Let it Snow | SCRAPBOOK LAYOUT

11.24.2018

Today Zoey had to work and I was feeling up to spending a bit of time in my craft room and this (along with a big 'ol mess) is what resulted from that time. Not quite so sure that I'm loving the design on this one, but I've found sometimes that I have to get through a layout that I don't love before I can get to creating again in "the groove". Maybe that's just what I tell myself!

Snowday Memories | Scrapbook Layout

11.23.2018

Sharing a fun layout that I finished up this afternoon using photos of Zoey and her friends having some silly fun last year while they were over for a sleepover. The bright colors from their coats and hats went perfectly with Crate Paper's Snow and Cocoa collection. I usually don't use straight collections for projects but have noticed that with this collection, I almost always do. Kind of interesting.


I had purchased most of the papers in this collection when it first came out but used them up pretty fast and actually reordered my favorites because I loved them so much! I have a thing for pretty papers, that's for sure!


We had a pretty quiet thanksgiving here...I haven't been feeling the best to be honest. Still not quite sure what's going on, but have ruled out some things. Thankfully I was feeling up to going grocery shopping and even ate a small plate of our feast when it came time for it. Hoping whatever I have moves on soon.

XO,

Jen

Birthday Love!

11.18.2018

My birthday was last week. Since I worked a long day on my actual birthday, I tried to enjoy the day before a little bit more than I would have had usually while working on school with Zoey at the same time. That looked like listening to music while she did schoolwork. In between helping her with math, I cut out some paper snowflakes to decorate our windows. Pretty crazy right?


They look so festive though from both inside and outside. Little things like this make my heart happy.

Here is Zoey and Leo taking a study break...it kind of cracks me up that they look like they are intentionally posing alike.


I also managed to bake a sugar-free, gluten-free cake that looks a little less than appealing but that was actually delicious! It was a new recipe that I tried for a cinnamon butter bundt cake. After baking you poked holes all over the cake and poured a glaze over the top to soak in. It was amazing! I added some flowers for a topper just to make it look special.


On my actual birthday I was spoiled with special messages from friends and family. I was the recipient of visits from two special friends too! One right away in the morning while I was still at home, and then the other friend stopped in to the library just before closing. It helped to make my passage beyond forty a little less brutal.

Winter Hike

11.17.2018

This weekend I wanted to explore more of a local (but new to us) trail. Specifically, I wanted to find the lake view since the last time Zoey and I went to this location we ended up leaving earlier than we had originally intended, thus weren't able to find the lakes!


Happily, this time we were able to find it, and not just one lake view but three!

It was pretty chilly but since we were moving fast to ensure that we beat the sun going down we stayed pretty warm.

I am in love with this picture of Zoey so much. It reminds me so much of my dad. She is so much like my dad in her ways of thinking, her interests, and taste in music and books. It’s so cool getting a front row seat to it all.





And yep! I was there too! Rosy red cheeks and all!


XO,

Jen

just an ordinary day | Scrapbook Layout

10.09.2018

I've been having some fun going through old photos that I had already printed out (what seems like a long time ago!). I came across stacks of photos while cleaning up around the house the other day in an old drawer and these were some of them. Thought they were too cute to let go much longer without putting them on a page!


Zoey used to dress-up ALL the time! So glad I snapped these random pics!


I cut out the hearts and title for this layout using my Silhouette Cameo cutting machine. I used my sewing machine to sew a line through my hearts and folded them upwards for a bit of added dimension.

Heading into a busy week here with work, homeschooling, and library programs! Zoey started Tech Crew this week at the high school where she will be helping to build the sets for the upcoming drama production. Yesterday, while at Tech Crew, she got called in by the director to read an actor's lines since they were missing from play practice. She loved it! The first production of the season this year is a small one, there were only 8 parts for actors and they mostly were given to Seniors, all to upper class-men. So she was tickled to get to help out with the play practice.

XO,






Happy World Cardmaking Day 2018!

10.06.2018

Last night I realized that today was World Cardmaking Day so I thought I would add a little post sharing some recent cards that I've created.


This one is super simple...truly just matted a chipboard piece to paper and added a little messy stitching to the bottom of the card. Thought it would be a cute little note though to give someone this season with some cookies or other fall treats perhaps.


Again...another simple one using patterned papers, chipboard pieces a little gem sticker and some stitching.


I have to say, I don't really create cards unless I feel the urge to use up smaller scraps or there is a specific reason or need for me to make one. This was fun though!

XO,


Love You | Scrapbook Layout + Pictures from Summer Adventures

 

I had a little bit of fun with this layout. I used lots of colorful papers, machine stitched on my paper, even cut out some fabric scraps for it! I also used a thick marker style pen for my handwritten journaling surrounding my photo and papers. I didn't worry about "perfection" here, just had some fun! 


When taking these photos it was pretty dark and rainy so the pictures are a bit grainy. You still can get the gist of the layout though.


Love this picture of Zoey and I from this summer. We were exploring out at Cathedral Point. A place that we hadn't ever been before and truly just stumbled on one afternoon when I made a turn down a road I had never been down before. Here are some more pictures from that day...


This is hands down my new favorite place to hike and swim now. I can't believe we've lived here for as long as we have now and never knew about this place. It's so quiet and untouched. Absolutely beautiful.


We were the only ones swimming in an area that isn't really a "beach" but was the perfect little swim spot. Zoey and I both share the same temperament of enjoying spots that are a bit off the beaten path and away from large crowds. Thankful for that. 


The trees were positively huge. Towering over us they made you feel so very small. Love it when things in life make you realize just how amazing our world is. Always great reminders for living out truths and those things that are meaningful.


Before heading out for the day and after swimming, we were packing up our things and Zoey pointed out something that caught her eye...


yep! Just your typical water snake! A Northern Water Snake to be exact! We actually saw two of them. One of them was in the process of eating something and we could see whatever the something was working it's way down the body of the snake. Creepy but cool!



This place was such a great find! Some of our favorite memories from this summer happened out here. I can't wait to get out there again soon to see the fall colors and how everything looks covered in snow here in a bit as well. We are so lucky to call this place home. There isn't a day that goes by that I don't think this.


XO,



Happy Pumpkin | Scrapbook Layout

10.05.2018

I had so much fun putting this multi-photo layout together! Sometimes pages can get pretty busy when using lots of photos and not implementing a two page spread but I think this one works. I made it a bit more cohesive by adding the patterned papers to the top and the bottom of the photo block.


I added dimension by layering several other elements on top of my block of photos. The chipboard pieces, arrows, die-cuts, words, etc. all add a little bit of interest to keep your eye centered and resting on the photos.


I love these pictures! I can't believe that they are from this post way back in 2015! All of a sudden I am super glad that I have continued to attempt at keeping up the old blog all these years. It's super handy to look back and recall exactly where and when my photos are from. Also, it helps that Zoey still loves reading and looking back at all of our memories. I do too!

I'm realizing more and more that social media (Facebook especially) will come and go in the way of fads and marketing (yourself, craft, business, beliefs, etc.) but I think taking photos and writing via blogging is something more authentic and serves more purpose for me. It's a way to share in a way that's not so "in your face" and feels like it is something more creative than something that's purpose is solely for that of others taking notice. I enjoy it. It feels like it's something that's mine. I'm so excited to be back and making more of a point to make it part of my weekly routine again.

XO,




It's a Book Pumpkin!

10.04.2018

Sharing a quick little project that I did the other night while at work. I used a discarded library book and cut off the front and back covers, cut the pages of the interior of the book into the shape of a pumpkin (leaving a portion of the bottom flat so it could stand) and then inked the page edges with orange ink. I used some brown packing paper and twisted it up to create a pretty realistic looking stem and cut out some pumpkin leaves free-hand using scraps of green patterned paper. I think it turned out pretty sweet! I can't wait to put it on display in my teen room at the library for a "Fall Into a Good Book" display.

Happy fall crafting!

XO,


Leaf Love | Scrapbook Layout

10.03.2018


I have really been having fun challenging myself to use the scrapbook supplies that I already own from my already existing (overflowing) stash of supplies on the layouts that I have recently been working on and I'm loving how they are turning out! For those of you that are pretty savvy when it comes to knowing your scrapbook brands you may notice several oldies on this page that sadly are no longer in existence.

I've been using older photos as well. These pictures are actually from a couple of years ago. Doesn't mean that I can't use them on a page today! In fact, I'm thinking of doing just that, using older photos as well as current ones for my pages. I've never been a scrapbooker who ever felt "behind" because I've always scrapped based on whatever memory or story that I wanted to preserve or tell on the given day. So...this just kind of makes sense.



Our fall colors are really popping here, this or the following weekend may be it for getting to see the fall colors in all of their glory. The rain we've been having lately too means that the leaves are falling extra fast. There is so much to seriously love about this season though! Sweaters, being cozy at home, tea, baking, etc. I love it!

XO,