El Senote

31 OF 31
In the last 31 days I've created 35 complete layouts, 2 cards and one project.
Yes! What a productive month.

This layout is in response to a blog I came across (see here)It's called my Inner Martha. Thanks Lauren for the reference. She has several challenges posted. One is a sketch. I took the challenge and changed mine a little bit.

I wanted to journal about the historical value of El Senote but the pictures called for something else.
Historical Mayan sources define this natural well as an important ceremonial center and pilgrimage destination between the 5th & 16th centuries A.D.
It was pretty amazing to sit there with my DD and take pictures.



and this embelishment came about as a neccesity - there are other tourist standing right there. I had to figure out how to hide them with out cropping it.

Some of the layering that I love!

Apple of my Eye/My lil pumpkin

30 of 31



Used club scrap cardstock, hand stitched around the border and added beads.

What I learned from my Doggies

29 of 31

I picked up a copy of Scrapbooks Etc yesterday and they had an article on paper pieceing. I went on their web site and found a pattern for this graceful bird. I added my own touched of coarse.

Journaling reads:
BIRD WATCHING & CHASING CAN BE THERAPEUTIC
Let your family know you love them
Enjoy your meals
get plenty of exercise
always make eye contact
be quick to forgive and forget
play often
good leaders are consistent
respect others
love unconditionally
never, ever bite the hand that feeds you
above all be loyal
love is patient
never reject a warm lap (or a hug)
take frequent naps
sit awhile
everyone needs a little bit of approval and praise

Music Man

28 of 31
I lifted this l.o. from Scrapooks etc. January Issue. I will give the proper credit when I get my magazine back (I loaned it out).

Paradise

27 of 31

A few more from the Cyber-crop at 2 Spotted Dogs

Journaling Reads:
The only Thing I can think of
When I look at these pictures
Is “I’ve been robbed” really I
Have!! Gabriel You were only
2 years Old in these pictures.
20 years just Flew past me. I
was there I Swear I was – I just
did not know that time would
Play tricks on my like it has.
At the age of 2 you loved
To play and fiddle with
Small tools. You loved to
Climb and jump. You also
Had a knack for hitting
People upside the head with
A broom. I miss you so much.
I only wish I could’ve paused
The clock – so that I could
Hold you just a little but
Longer. Rock you just a
Little bit slower, hug you
Just a little bit tighter.

My Funnly Little Valentine

26 of 31
Another 2Spotted Dogs Challenge
Oh my what a difference a year makes in the life of a baby!

Coco Loco

25 of 31
Two Spotted Dogs has an Impromptu Cyber Crop and one of the challenges was to find a fashion inspiration - I found mine.


These pictures are from "Lake" Magazine Feb/Mar 2008

I loved the colors of the dress and the large polka dots and I wanted to duplicate the "plastic look"



My l.o. does not feel finished and I could not work on it any more because of this:





She was pulling the circles off of my page faster than I could glue them down.
Then she started pulling stuff off of my table. She loves the stickles and my QH hand tool became her car. Gotta go she's still pulling on my arm. I love her so much!

I must have done Something right . . .

24 of 31
The title is based on the song Butterfly Kisses.
For all that I've done wrong I must have done something right ...


Journaling reads:
1983
My darling – How we survived growing up together
I’ll never know. It must have been pure love that
got us through those rough years. I was so
young, only 18 – but you were mine. All mine.
And it was you and me against all of the
elements and against an unkind world.
I learned about true love the moment you
were born and there was never a moment
of looking back, never a moment of regret. I would
give you my last breathe if that is what I had to do.
You in turn made me stronger, made me fight
harder, made me want to make this a better
world.
For all that I have done wrong – damn it, I must
have done something right to have a daughter
like you, loyal to the end, to have a person like
you love me unconditionally.
You have become such a wonderful woman.
You are successful, smart, beautiful and
You are an awesome mom.
I love you with all of my being and if I had to do
It all over again – I would choose you again.

Look at all of that vintage lace and buttons! Love my vintage buttons.
Some of the lace is from The Embelishment Studio see here

True Love

23 of 31
Almost did not make it this evening. First I'm just plain ole' tired. Then the l.o. was not working out for me, then my internet goes out! Well I was surfing and came across this blog: She Scraps She is part of the Caardvarks team. She inspired me today. Her layout is called ruffle butt. I already had all of these supplies out so it was easy just "lifting" her l.o.



I just took some Heidi Swapp items and layered them. The flower for their wedding, the clock and wings for how fast time flies and the crown cause she is his princess. This couple have been together for 10 years - Married for 1. It's about dang time! LOL
ps this is Dave's nephew.

Fabulous Darling

22 of 31 (only 9 to go!)

Layout of Isabella with her "new" sunglasses. June 2007
Lots of Stickles and brads. "Darling" is handwritten and colored with a sharpie marker then covered with stickles.


I got this off of a package at work. I loved the sparkle and color I added the felt flower and some Stickles.

4 Generations

21 of 31 (almost done)
4 Generations of Women in my family



Club Scrap cardstock, HS sticker, vintage buttons, fabulous lace from the Embellishment Studio.

"I Love You" banner

I Love You - today and always banner
It will hang in my living room and after Valentine's day I'll hang it in my room.



Used 2SD January Kit, hambly overlay, HS clear stamp, chipboard flower and frams, ribbon from my stash.

What do I do at my Nani's house

20 of 31
The sketch is from Becky Fleck page maps.



The kit is January 2 Spotted Dogs
It's late so the lighting is off.

Looking forward to . . .

19 of 31


Isabella with her parents in the background watching her. I was playing around with the camera and I wanted her in focus and the background blurred. I think it worked. LOL


I used Bazzil cardstock, Basic Grey pp, thickers, American craft stickers, EK success embroidered stickers and Queen & Co buttons.

Chivalry is alive and well

18 of 31
Our wedding day June 21, 2003





and a couple of close ups of the layered embellishments.
Kit from 2 Spotted Dogs, Silver letters from Kurio - K&Company, Hearts H.S., ribbon & flower are from my stash, jeweled brad is SEI, Rhinestone heart is from Me & My big Ideas and finally Monogram crystals are from Mark Richards.

My blog was featured in QK Bloggers

How exciting is that?
take a peak here:

Caardvarks Challenge

Just a quick and easy card for Caardvarks Challenge

Sweet Trouble

17 of 31
I can say I'm more than half way there!
My miniatured, long haired dachshunds. 10 & 12 pounds of pure delight, but watch out for that little one!


I used tags that I've had in my stash for ever. I also used an Iron on rhinestuds by fashion fusion (skull & cross bones). It's made for clothes. I thought I ruined my picture while trying to iron this on but it worked out.
Karen Foster metal embellishments, Jolee's dog collar. Cardstock is club scrap, and I used HS chipboard letters, mask letters and vine/flower. Krylon short cuts spray for the masks. Fibers and button my stash.

I Want My Cake & Eat it 2

16 of 31
My friend and I did Isabella's birthday cake shoot at my house. I really don't know who had more fun, Heather & I or Isabella. I Used the Two Spotted Dogs kit and HS chipboard letters and heart also MM letters I painted, buttons from my stash, MM noteworthy and ribbon from my stash.

Bonnie & Clyde

15 of 31 Can I say half way there?

Got home late so this was literally a 30 minute layout.


Journaling will read:
I had wanted to have one of those pictures, where you dress up in attire of a different era for a long time but had never been able to. Until I started dating Dave and we took a trip to Brown County. Dave's Mom had done these types of pictures when he was younger and he thought it would be neat. I thought it was great! Check out those fish net stockings! 1999.
_________________

Beautiful.

<14 out of 31
Khalila's prom - Senior year 2007


Club Scrap Cardstock and not sure where the white one is from.
Swirl and heart is felt from Fashion Sense. I sewed the beads on the heart and added black brads to the swirl.
I drew the black flower on a transparency and added the beadwork. Stamped Ali Edwards stamp on trasparency also.

At Last . . .

13 of 31


The title of this l.o. goes with the song
At last my love has come along . . .by Etta James,
no, it was not our wedding song but I find it appropriate now! I changed the color of the picture to give it an "old" look.
June 2003

The paper is from the fabulous new kit at 2 Spotted Dogs - the kit really rocks!


Rebecca Sower always inspires me. This heart was inspired by her blog.
I sewed the heart on a piece of material and just started adding buttons, pearls, flowers and cupid. All of the pears on this page are from my dress (long story!), but my dress is still intact.

LOVE

12 of 31

The definition of love according to the bible
1 Corinthians 13:1 - 13
That's the best definition of love I've ever found. Then I added some of my own words on the journaling strips.
Me and my younger children at the Chicago Botanical Gardens in Chicago.

The paper is from The 2 Spotted Dogs kit for January called Chocolate Dreams. It's an awesome kit!

A Special Bond

11 of 31
Isabella & Me

Changes

10 of 31

Changes my family has gone through and why this was the last "family portrait Christmas Card"

It's a simple l.o. but to stay on target had to do it that way.

Cheeky Baby - No really look at those Cheeks!

9 of 31

Sugar & Spice

8 of 31
Isabella at 4 months old.



Lots of lace from The Embellishment Studio

I had a hard time with the lighting - so I'll have to retake the picture with the lighting is better.

Prom '07

7 out of 31

Khalila's prom.

Year of the Pig - 2007

6 of 31
Another China Town layout.






lots of beads! I also "made" the embellishments with gold UTEE and rubber stamps.

Goofing around in China Town

5 of 31

Still working on my nephew and Alinda's visit here. China Town in Chicago - it was a very cold day but we had a blast. The food was Divine!
The assignment was to find your zodiac and imitate it.



Little details on my metal charms were inspired by Rebecca Sower. I twisted the beads on thin wire and attached it to the charm




I'm also glad to be using paper I've had for a long time.