Making Room for the New (stuff, that is!)

Well, I know that all the really nice new stuff from CHA will be coming along soon, and overwhelming me in every which way....SO....for the past few weeks all the layouts that I have done, have all been with stuff that I have. YEP, you heard right......NOTHING NEW!

Using all my stash, allows me to clear out, take inventory and make room for all the goodies that I know I will want.

This layout was inspired by a sketch, and I just knew that this Girls Paperie Paper was exactly what I wanted to use. It truly is amazing to see exactly what we have hidden in terms of paper and embellishments. I was just waiting for the right time and place to use this. In fact, this is the second layout I have done with my "Girls Paperie" stash. So, I hope that for everyone who reads this, that you pull out something old and make it something new.

INSPIRATION everywhere

THIS

IS WHAT INSPIRED

THIS

The above water bottle is what sits on my desk at work, right in front of me....every single day!

I look at it, I read the little sayings on it, I fill it twice a day, and I am very inspired by it.

Not only inspired from the "wellness" aspect, but based on the above layout, from a creative aspect as well. Like I have mentioned sometime before, I am not the biggest user of stamps on layouts, BUT I really loved the idea of trying to do a stamp collage looking attempt. I have to say, I quite like the end result.

Wishing everyone a week filled with sunshine and smiles.

Just a little plain and simple....with a polaroid stamp

K. let me first begin by saying this layout is totally done on white cardstock....really hard to tell by the below picture......BUT...............look closely...........really closely.............

DO YOU SEE THE STAMP?

Yep, my favorite, the "stamping bella" polaroid stamp. I mean c'mon, how can you NOT love it?

How can you NOT want to own it?

So simple, yet so stately (is that a word?) I just have to say....I LOVE THAT STAMP!!!!

There is so little on this layout, yet, in my mind....it says so much. I have to agree with the saying "less is more". Sometimes, we feel so obligated to fill our page with so much...simply because we have so much, or because there is so much empty space which to fill. However, with this layout, I was just so satisfied with the simplicity and cleanliness of it, that I just did NOT feel the need to clutter it up and layer it with embellishments (which I usually love to do.)

I encourage you to do a layout....using less, to create more!

Loving KI Memories Calender Die Cut Paper

Ok, so when I first saw these absolutely adorable die cut calender pages from KI Memories....I had this vision, that I would like to try and use one every single month for the next year. I mean, how cool could that be? Twelve sheets of paper, twelve different ways...not to mention twelve guaranteed layouts for a year. C'mon now, that could really be more than some of us actually do. So this is my "January" layout!

I have to say that I really do like this paper. When I first took it out on my desk, I kinda thought "MMM", but after looking at it, placing my picture where I did...I then looked at the empty little squares as a kind of grid, which made it easy for me to then move forward. I also pulled out some really old KI paper, that I always loved enough to never want to part with.

Wishing everyone a wonderful week ahead, filled with some tiny little time to create!

Using some Stamping Bella "Scrappy" stamps

Well I honestly have to admit that I am not such a stamper on layouts. I kind of forget that I do have some "scrapbooking" stamps, and I neglect to use them. I also have to say that I am not so confident when stamping directly onto the layout. I always have this fear, that the stamp just won't stamp quite right, and then that will be the end of what was, and the beginning of an internal rage (that I ruined the layout, forgetting its just paper.)

Now you see, Emily challenged me a little....asking me to use some "Stamping Bella" stamps on a few layouts, that she could take along to CHA with her. CAN YOU SAY PANIC!!!!!!!!

Well this layout was inspired by a teeny weeny little sketch that Emily drew out for me. With her idea to use the "Labels Collection 1". So here it is.......

AND

I LIKE IT

I actually stamped the labels on a second piece of paper first, cut them out, and pop dotted them on the layout....that way there allowed ZERO chance for anger to reign within.

I will be posting a few of the layouts that I did using "Stamping Bella" stamps over my next few blog entries. I encourage you to include some stamping on the next layout that you do!

Get stamping, get scrapping, get happy!

First Layout of 2011

Well what better way to start a first layout of the new year, by reviewing the previous year?

So here it is..... SNAPSHOTS TO REMEMBER 2010.

I have to say that I have definitely been a devout fan of Cosmo Cricket for quite some time, however I can also honestly admit, that I have not really loved there last few releases. AND THEN....I saw Circa 1934. I fell in love with it! Not sure if it was because the names of the papers were after old movies stars like Gable and Chaplin, or the colour scheme or the patterns...I will just say ALL OF THE ABOVE. I think that when I bought it, I did have the idea to do a year in review page with it (which I do every year)...but I was NOT exactly sure what.

Now because I am also such a devout fan of Studio Calico Sketches....you can just guess what happened next. Yep, you guessed it! Circa 1934 made the sketch! AND HERE IT IS.

So here's to hoping that YOU to, do a year in review layout....one day you will be glad you did!

Never Say Never to Starting Something New

FROM THIS

TO THIS

TO THIS

Yep, like I have said before...I never believed that quilting is something that I would ever be interested in, or caught doing. Well, I was wrong. I love the whole process of choosing the fabric, piecing it together and coming out with something finished in the end. You know, kinda like a scrapbook page. I am finally finished this quilt that I have made for my daughter, Hannah, and I can honestly look at it and say to myself "well done". I know that she is only fifteen, I know that she loves the quilt, and I know one day she will appreciate it and treasure it even more than she will now. I also hope that one day, my children will find hobbies and interests that are as fulfilling to them, as mine are to me.

I encourage that this year maybe one for YOU, to try something NEW....something that you may never have thought you would or could.....give yourself the opportunity.