Silly Boy: Process Video

Oh, this boy. And a new camera.

And some lovely, lovely mixed media experimenting. That’s how this layout came about, and it was my first layout using my kit for July from How to Kill A Kit With Style! I shared my kit in fill HERE in this video, but in today’s video I’m showcasing the mixed media technique that I tried for the first time. And it turned out really well!

The stencils are from Ranger/Tim Holtz, the mists are from Studio Calico, Tattered Angels, and Heidi Swapp. And those super fun stickers are from BasicGrey (sigh, sob!).

The video is below, you you can go straight to my YouTube channel HERE. See you there!

Gerber Baby

When my 3rd baby was little, one of our favorite stores held a contest for a new model for their line of baby products. I ALMOST entered him. I wish I had, because you never know. This photo I took on the day I was discussing with my husband his chances of winning… hence the title. :)

This layout uses some really OLD Sassafras chipboard numbers, some Pink Paislee Wild Child, and a background paper from Webster’s Pages. I love a good page that mixes lines together! I also love me some fun color combos!

Hope you enjoy!

24 Yards

(This post may contain affiliate links.  I only link things I use, and the links cost you nothing extra.  I just get a small commission.  TIA!)

You know how sometimes you start something, convinced it’s a really good thing… then 3245 hours later, you’re wondering why on earth you ever decided to do that thing? 

Me either.  Ahem. 

Except, there was this once when I ordered 24 yards of amazing fabric to make drapes for 3 very large windows.  Thankfully, I finished them, and when we moved a year later, they worked in the new house too.

I scraplifted myself for this layout.  The original, From 4 to 5, is from all the way back to 2010, and featured Cosmo Cricket.  Sadly, Cosmo is no more, but the style of this layout is still perfect.

The new version tells the story of those 24 yards of fabric.  Ironically, I used supplies from BasicGrey, another company that is no more.  I mourn. 

The collection is called Clippings, and I used the chipboard, the 4x6 journaling stack, and the 12x12 sticker sheet to create this layout.  Oh, and that red polka dot?  Totally a My Mind’s Eye Christmas paper!  You never know what might come in handy!

Mist spatters are Heidi Swap Color Shine, the numbers are BasicGrey’s Milk & Honey Collection, and the Thickers are Rockabye Foam in blue (my fave font ever!).

DC Walking Tour

Last fall we mad a treck across the USA to attend a very special wedding.  While we were in Richmond, it seemed just too close to leave without going to visit Washington DC, since many of us had never been.  So we hopped on a train and off we went. 

We only had one afternoon, so we walked through as much as possible and caught the highlights- Washington monument, Lincoln Memorial, the White House.  The kids were old enough to appreciate the experience, I think (I hope), and it’s likely we won’t be back for quite a long time, so I took lots of photos.

I used a background paper from Basic Grey (Carte Postale) as well as a few BG embellishments.  I also used some giant chipboard letters from Seven Paper with my Distress Stains- a favorite technique of mine because it’s so very easy.  Some stamping, some tickets (Maya Road) and some thread add texture to the layers. 

Go have a crafty weekend. 

A Friend Farewell

Hi everyone!  I am finally finishing up 2015 in my Project Life album (which means I will be scrapping Christmas in July… ironically).  This photo is from our farewell party in Bulgaria, right before we moved home to Indiana.  It’s a special photo, because it features almost all of my kiddo’s friends from that time in our lives.  I’m really happy with how this one turned out.

The background is a paper from a Webster’s Pages line by Alison Kreft.  It’s actually a cut-apart sheet, but I had several so I decided to use the B side here.

I colored the chipboard frame with Distress Stain in Spiced Marmalade.  Most of the fussy-cut pieces are from Crate Paper’s Farmhouse Collection, and the letters are October Afternoon Daily Flash.

Thanks for coming by and taking a peek!

Konza Water Park

Hi there!  Thanks for coming by!  I have just a minute, but I really wanted to pop in a share this layout with you today.  The photo is from a day at a water park (I know, I know) where they also happened to have some ATV’s and a track.  After a day of watching the kids swim, my husband could not resist the chance for speed.  This happened to be my favorite photo of the day, and so all of the swimming photos are in the pocket page facing this one in my album.

The giant chipboard letters are colored with Distress Stains, and are from Studio Calico.  The paper and washi are from We R Memory Keepers.

Thanks for taking a look!  I hope you are inspired to create today!

Smiles, and Lots of Them!

Ok, so… I’m apparently a negligent blogger.  I’ve been creating, but we added a new baby to the family, renovated a house top to bottom, and moved twice all in the last 18 months.  Somehow, the blogging never fit into this crazy year!  Imagine that!

So now I have 4 kids, a house that is 95% finished but needs constant cleaning (refer back to the 4 kids), and a tiny scrapbook nook that is fully functioning.  No more excuses!  I am stretching my blogging legs as we speak. 

This layout is one that I created for my albums a few months ago.  I mostly scrap in chronological order, and I’m about 18 months behind, so I’m reliving 2015 with each layout. I started this one with some white cardstock and mist, then dug into my scrap drawer for some bits to form the two columns along the edges. 

This photo is of my kiddos and husband on a 3 wheel bike we rented for a Saturday outing in Sofia, Bulgaria (where we lived at the time).  We had done this before, and when it was time to move back to the USA, we let the kids each choose one final activity.  My oldest chose these bikes (and not to worry, the baby didn’t actually ride.  He only sat there while the bike was still.  I needed my photo op!)

The die cut doily is hard to see in photos, but I tried to highlight it with some Enamel Accents from Inkessentials.  These might be my favorite new things to add as a finishing touch to a page.  The flowers are from Echo Park and Crate Paper, and the bicycle is BasicGrey. 

Thanks for stopping by!  Enjoy the lovely weather and pop back in again soon! 

Alyssa

Celebrate Family

You know how sometimes, being together is all that matters?  While we have been living overseas, we have had visitors from the US once.  My parents came to see us, shortly after baby Ezra was born last year.  While they were here, I was recovering, the weather was lousy, and we didn’t do much.  But they came, and that meant the world.  We loved every minute.  Also, I didn’t take enough photos. 

This layout uses a collection of random bits from KaiserCraft, My Mind’s Eye, and Glitz Design.

I still have to add the journaling.  That’s my weak spot, on every page!  I did leave a spot for it, though so it will be there.  Someday.  Soon-ish.  Ahem. 

See you on the crafty side,

~Alyssa~