be happy.

Challenge #14

Challenge #14 ~ Playing with Circles

Heeeeeeere's Mari!!

Circles? Yes, Please!!! Gimme any kind... Dots? I prefer the polka type. But if those aren't available just about any circle will do :oP I feel like they add all sorts of movement to a layout and even make it sort of dynamic. Circles are great to guide the eye and I love to take advantage of them. For this layout I used all sort of different sizes and positioned them accordingly after cutting them out of some yummy Green at Heart Basic Grey paper including their doilies!! 

So what am I up to now? what's my next one hehe.. 

Mari <3

Thank you, Mari!!

Be happy. Have balance.

Challenge #13

Challenge #13 - combine black & white and color

Take it away, Julie!!

This one was an easy one for me, not too challenging!!  I love this photo of Michael and I taken during a great weekend in New York City.

The Black & White papers and journaling blocks are My Minds Eye MeadowLark, the ribbon is from May Arts and the pink flowers and pearls are Prima.

The pink goes great with black & white for just the right special something.  Pick a color and go on and give it a try!!

~ Julie

Beautiful job, Julie!!  Thanks!

Be happy. Have balance.

Challenge #12

Challenge 12: Finish a page in 60 minutes

So Mari started these timed challenges... and we wanted to see what she would come up with next... here is her challenge in 60 minutes:

Pheeeew! This was a lot more like it.. no rushing, just playing. This time around, it was only half an hour less than my typical layout. *That* I can handle hehe :o) 

I used KI Memories Calendar page with some yummy Basic Grey Hopscotch goodies (looooooooove me some basic grey!!!)

I'm so loving these challenges.. <3 

~Mari

Be happy. Have balance.

Challenge #11

Finish a Page in 45 minutes.

So Mari showed us she can finish a page in 30 minutes.... let's see what she does in 45 minutes.... heeeeere's Mari!!

These challenges are great to get you going. You can't dwell on a layout, or slack off, or keep telling yourself for hours on end that it needed "something else". We've all been there, right? You know it's true :oP I urge you to try it. Just do it! Like in the beginning of a crop, I bet you that if you make yourself finish something in a certain period of time its gonna make you feel like you can accomplish everything you wanted and more. 

I kept telling myself.. 45 minutes? That's 15 minutes more than 30 (yay), and about half the time it normally takes me to complete a layout (nay). Not too bad, I thought. I got to play with this challenge during a staff crop.. rushing with people is much more fun than rushing along, besides no way to cheat when you announce the room you're starting at 3:05pm hehe As always, crunch time came sooner than I thought.. it's crazy how involved you can become while working on something. As they say, time flies when you're having fun!

I used Making Memories Je t' Adore.. Perfect for this time of the year! 

~ Mari

Thanks Mari... can't wait to see what you are going to do in 60 minutes!!

Be happy.

Challenge #10

We are only on Challenge #10??  We better get going on these!!  Well... Mari did Challenge #10 and what she created in EXACTLY 30 minutes would have taken me a day.  Here is her challenge...

Phew, for a moment there I didn't think I was gonna make it! I never knew how fast 30 minutes could feel like before this layout.. You get so involved and totally loose track of time! I used a stopwatch, so no cheating. I Promise. Fist time I looked to see how I was doing 15 minutes had already gone by :-O I used some yummy My Mind's Eye, Prima and Glitz on this page and I absolutely love it. This is my first challenge and can't wait for the next! It was so empowering and intense.. feeling really good right now :) Can't wait to tackle my next task of the day. Although I don't think I will finish it in 30 minutes :oP 

Mari <3

Be happy.

Challenge #9... and a list from me!

Challenge #9 - Create an itemized list.  Julie is known as our list keeper (although my mom will give her a run for the title for sure!!)... so she was perfect to do this challenge...

Don't forget MEMORIES and Other Good Stuff

I make lists all the time.

Things to do, Groceries, Phone Calls, What to Pack, etc.

Here is my everyday list:

1. Love like there is no tomorrow.
2. Smile
3. Be Thankful
4. Always be the best you can be
5. Enjoy the moments
6. Scrapbook (I wish)

Enjoy!

Thanks, Julie!!

So... in the spirit of lists (because not only could my mom give Julie a run for the title... so could I), I noticed that Karen Russell often blogs in list form.  So instead of saying how terrible I have been at blogging lately (I know... I know), I am going to make a list of what I have been up to lately.

1. My laptop is being really fritzy (according to spellcheck that isn't a word... but I like it) and my iphoto doesn't work.  It is driving me crazy,and I can't seem to find the time to get it looked at.

2. My puppy is so darn cute but REALLY driving me crazy... she eats EVERYTHING!!! Tonight she had my camera card in her mouth... but Sophie used her super reflexes and saved the day (and my card... and the dog)

3. The above picture of my dog is sideways and I can't figure out why.

4. The wireless internet connection at our house wasn't working and my husband spent 3 hours on the phone getting it fixed so I could blog on my laptop instead of the desktop.  If you know my husband you realize this was HUGE!!  He is super helpful all the time... but won't touch a computer problem with a ten foot pole.  I absolutely love him for helping me today!!!

5. The computer at work got a virus.  FYI... the computer at work is also our register.  YIKES!!

6. My camera.... needs fixing.  I can't even talk about it, except to say I am not taking it in until after Karen Russell's class on Sunday.

7. Sophie is growing LIKE A WEED!!  And I feel like our lives are so darn rushed. It is my goal next year to slow down (it's too late for this year!!).

8. The above image is sideways... and I STILL can't figure out WHY?????

9.  We went to an event and tried to make a pyramid with Tim Holtz.  It didn't work out so well... but those are the times where we say at least our job is REALLY fun!!

10. We have so many FUN FUN things coming up at Scrappy Boutique and I am frantically trying to finish up the details so we can tell everyone.

11. Sophie is fast asleep cuddled up next to me.  Because although she shows no fear... we went to 4 halloween stores today and she is scared to sleep alone.  Truth be told... I love nights like this!!

 

Be happy.

Challenge #8

I dare you... no I DOUBLE DOG DARE YOU to do some of these challenges.  I am always shocked at my final layout.  It really takes you out of your comfort zone.

Challenge #8 ~ Use all 26 letters of the alphabet.

I used an old line of BasicGrey (Sugared), American Craft Thickers (of course!!) and well... that's about it! I thought the simplicity was really key here.  My message to Sophie... I love you like no other.  It's that simple.

 

 

Be happy. 

Challenge #7

Heeeeeeeeere's Julie!!!!

Challenge 7 - "Happiness is measured by the number seven"

Humm... a page with sevens on it!!  What shall I do?  Seven brads, seven buttons, seven different papers on my page?  I know... create a number seven on my page (FYI I still don't think it looks like a seven!).  So finally I came up with this layout using one of my favorite companies, Little Yellow Bicycle.  Their Clothesline line was perfect for this task.

The seven things to talk about on my page was easy, the seven Hintons.  Me, my husband Michael, our three sons Daniel, Adam and Jason and our two cute Shih Tzu's Alfie and Gracie.

The tape measure embellishments were the inspiration for my title.  Brads and the Jenny Bowlin bingo card were the finishing touches.

So what makes you happy....

Thanks, Julie!!  You have a beautiful family... I so enjoy every time I see them.  And... you have a beautiful layout. 

Be happy.

Challenge #6

Welcome back guest blogger, AMY!!!  She did Challenge #6 and here she is...

Challenge: Time of Day

When I first saw this challenge I thought, what would you do this about???  Then I was laughing with my BFF Amanda about "banana time" and said "Wait!  This is perfect for the Time of Day challenge!"  She agreed!  So let me explain about Banana Time.

Anyone who knows me, knows I need alot of sleep!  And my friend Amanda likes to call me sometimes when she is on her way to pick up lunch during work. She eats lunch around 11am.  So alot of the time, when she is calling me I am eating my banana for breakfast (since I get up so late).  So we would tease about that and she starting asking "Is it banana time??"  So there ya go....hahaha

And that is why I like this book!  I would not normally have scrapped this, but it was really fun to do and a fun memory to have with my BFF! 

I used all Basic Grey Origins paper, sticker, Journal spot and bloom.  Plus 2 kinds of Thickers (my favorite!!) 

Thank, Amy!!  I was just talking to Amy today about how cute her photos are with her priceless expressions.  What I want to know is... did someone take this photo or did she set the timer??

By the way... BasicGrey: Max and Whiskers, Capella and a new Basics line is in.  BasicGrey junkies... come get your fix!!!

Be happy.

 

Challenge #5

I am back in the swing of things and ready to blog, blog, blog!!  We have been so busy planning National Scrapbook Day... we can't wait!!  But more on that later - today is about Challenge #5.

Challenge: Find inspiration from print media.

Julie gave me the BEST idea which was to draw inspiration from my business card!!  How great is that??  I find our Scrappy Boutique logo and "look" so inspiring... I just never thought to use it in my scrapbooking.  That is why these challenges are so great.

Here is our business card: (you may need to click on the photo to see it correctly... computer techie I am not and if I spend one more minute on this I will EXPLODE!!) :(

 
 
 
And here is my layout:

look how beautiful the flowers look around this black and white photo!

i think stickpins can be the most subtle yet lovely addition - i put them everywhere!!

What I used:

Dear Lizzy fabric paper (background)

Prima Flowers (of course!!)

Bazzill Mini Just the Edge (for the flower "stems")

Dear Lizzy chipboard shapes (the word Grow)

Maya Road stickpins (sold individually for 15 cents each at Scrappy Boutique)

Letter stickers from October Afternoon

Brackets from Bo-Bunny

I hope you like this layout... it makes my soooo happy!!!

Be happy.