Some Catching Up To Do!!!

It is good to be back. Seven months and no blogging is just not a good thing! Sometimes life gets in the way, and I finally sat down two weeks ago and found my mojo again. My scrapbook Mojo that is. Because while I was off and not blogging, I was not scrapbooking either : (

I cleared out the "stuff" in my scrapbook room that was just too much. I was finding all these carefully collected papers and embellishments and stuff was cluttered into boxes, bags and I really didn't even know what I had anymore. I had alot of other things stacking up in my scrap space, and I just could not create there. I never had a clear slate and all I could think about was all the things I should/need to do instead of scrapbooking.

But, scrapbooking is my escape, my memories being carefully preserved, and this is important to me. Important enough to do a clean sweep sort of....well, 6 garbage bags later and many piles of give aways are created and in the works of finding new homes!

It was fun to rediscover many paperlines, embellishments and other things I have collected over the years. I was very selective in what I kept. I am forcing myself to the space I have now and that is it.

I even have a shelf now for the kids birthday party supplies, sewing supplies and gift bags and wrap. Another whole shelf dedicated to my kids crafting supplies too.

I added a shelf from Ikea to keep handy all my scrapbook basics that I reach for each time, and the new little table also from Ikea enables my kids to have a chair all around to have a little crafting time.

Here are some pictures to share, I would love to hear about your scrap spaces and how you get your scrapbook Mojo back! (ok, so my shelves are not that organized now that I look at it in the pics, but believe me it is a huge improvement!)

I also received this week the most amazing price from Gabry Road. So a big thank you for my prize won from my friend Lorena (who has an amazing blog...), by entering us into a contest on their facebook page. Anyways, Gabry Road has a lot of homemade goodness, definitely worthwhile to check out!

So, I will be sure to publish some of the layouts I have been working on this week!

Have a great Monday everyone!

Cheers

Mandy

Let’s Scrap Hoppy New Year Blog Hop

Note, new blog postings below, this will remain at the top of my blog until bloghop is over!

Welcome, Welcome, Welcome.....You have arrived at:

Resolution #9...Laughter is the Best Medicine.

...Are you into making resolutions each new year. I am not, but this year I did. Not to let myself stress the little things! In keeping with this theme...your challenge is to pick a Let's Scrap Sketch and scrap something that makes you smile or laugh..It could be a moment that you laughed about for days, it could be a funny face that your kids make, or something funny your pet does, it could be a breathtaking moment that kept a smile on your face for days! Don't forget to include some journaling so that you can look back at this years from now and reminisce what was making you smile or cracking you up! I can't wait to see your layouts, they can be single or double, the choice is yours.

Here is my layout and the sketches it was based on from Let's Scrap. My son's first season of soccer was so fun. Picture it, two mini fields and 4 teams of 3 & 4 year olds learning to play. The funniest times were when the ball went into the neighboring field and both teams were playing in the same field...kids everywhere, coaches not knowing which way to go and balls being kicked this way and that...oh such fun it was to watch. And ofcourse I was so proud to watch my DS play week after week and improve and learn so much...always smiling, what more can you ask for!

Here is the prize you can win for participating in my Resolution#9!




Here are all the rules for Resolution#9:

1. Subscribe to my blog.
2. Select a sketch from Let's Scrap.
3. Create a layout and Upload your layout by Feb 14th 11:59 central time to Let's Scrap.
4. When uploading tag your layout "resolution#9".
5. Leave me a comment so I can be sure to include you in the draw for the prize!
6. Not only do you have a chance to win a prize for each challenge you enter but if you complete and post an entry for EVERY challenge along the blog hop, by February14, 2011 you're name will be entered into a random drawing for a wonderful prize supplied by Cosmo Cricket. On every blog in the hop you must become a follower and leave alittle love (a comment) for the host.


Resolution #1: Betty Anne
Resolution #2: Kristin
Resolution #3: Beth
Resolution #4: Cori
Resolution #5: Carolina
Resolution #6: Roulien
Resolution #7: Kristie
Resolution #8: Bev
Resolution #9: Mandy - You are here!!!
Resolution #10: Megan - Head here next!!
Resolution #11: Wendy
Resolution #12: Debby
Resolution #13: Dawn
Resolution #14: Tracy
Resolution #15: Amy


Kathy’s Special Challenges - Kathy wanted to be involved in the fun but doesn’t have a blog so she has posted two challenges in the Blog Hop section of the forum. These are extra challenges with great prizes but they do not have to be completed with all the others for the Cosmo Cricket Grand Prize.
Her challenges are:
Scrap Words Scrabble
The Power of Words Challenge

Thanks for looking,

Mandy

New Sketch At Let's Scrap

I loved this Let's Scrap sketch, very simple and I was inspired to make this card for my friend who was recently engaged...try to act surprised when you get this Anne!

Head on over and post your card. It is an awesome sponsor this week with a great prize!

Don't forget the Blog Hop is well underway, and lots of postings in the gallery. I am loving watching everyones fun layouts..!

Thanks for looking,

Mandy

Count Down Until Disney....

I was reminiscing the other day with my son about our last Florida trip. Last year we did not make it, as I was having Kayleigh. My son is almost 4 now, and is so excited about seeing Mickey and the gang this winter. So as I start thinking about this trip, I thought I would share some pics from our first Disney trip with Tyler.

Thanks for looking,
Mandy

Happy New Year! Get Ready for A Let's Scrap Blog Hop!

Happy New Year! I have not been blogging for a while, but now that Christmas and New Years has come and gone, I am ready to spend some time scrapping! I am getting ready for the Blog Hop over at Let's Scrap! Have a great week, I will have more to post later on!

thanks for looking,
Mandy

Another Sketch Challenge at Let's Scrap

Wow, ok so it has been a few days since I have posted. I have had a sick baby girl, who is on the way to recovery! Not sure from what, just a high fever, which always scares me when you get into the high numbers. But after three sleepless nights she is feeling much better.

Is everyone ready for Santa yet? Well, this is my card for this weeks challenge at Let's Scrap. I had these pics taken of the kids, and they did not turn out well at all. We did a second session that turned out amazing, but I don't get those until next week. Isn't that always the way, you get the kids dressed, managed not to get puke or spit up on the clothes, and they look just miserable! You should see the other pic, Kayleigh is crying, I couldn't help it, I bought a copy of it! So on the second set of pics, I had no expectations, Tyler's hair was standing up straight with static, in his regular clothes, kayleigh in her Santa suit, but boy did I get smiles that day! The key, don't go in with any expectations, and you cannot help but be pleasantly surprised!
Kayleigh's flower in her hair I made with some leftover ribbon. Cute eh?

This card we did as part of the challenge, but will not be what I am sending out this year. I had better get cracking!!
More Echo Park paper!

Thanks for looking,
Mandy

All the Stockings Were Hung....on the ATC Frame?

Here is another project I just finished! I love using the Echo Park Papers, and this is using the Merry Christmas line...so traditional, I love it! I am using the other Christmas line too, "Everybody Loves Christmas" but for my December Daily.

I used an ATC frame from 7gypsies, some chipboard embellishments (I think cosmo cricket bare naked) that I covered with the pattered paper from the Merry Christmas line, a bit of bakers twine, my Irock for a little bling, some acrylic snowflakes that I colored with my copics, then added the bling with my Irock to coordinate and then the Merry Christmas pattern paper, sticker embellishments, letters, basically the whole line. Oh yeah, you cant forget ribbon! I am not sure where I bought this ribbon from though. My stockings I cut using my cricut, then I used glossy accent at the top, then sprinkled with glitter. I will be adding some more pictures to this frame as this Christmas gets closer, my daughters first visit with Santa, putting up our Christmas tree, my son helping decorating...he is so excited this year! This year is so special because it will be my daughters first Christmas, so as we celebrate another first, I wish everyone a safe and happy holiday season!

Thanks for looking,
Mandy