Store layout turns contest entry-Echo Park!

I wanted to do a store layout with Echo Parks new "Happy Halloween" line of papers... actually, I bought the whole pack of this paper, because the backsides were so bright and usable for anything-not just Halloween... Then I found out there was a contest using said Halloween papers!
I have been lovin' Echo Park. Kelly's favorite salesperson in all the land (Madison, each company he has worked on, Kelly has followed and bought from him!) continues with the start of his OWN company, Echo Park!
I have to say, I LOVE the 12x12 alphabet sheets that give you 3 mini-alphas, and one larger!
Brilliant!

So here is my store layout... and my contest entry! They are giving away their soon to be released Christmas collection! Want me some of THAT! :)

"Hardly Haunting"
I deconstructed some of the sticker elements... stole the lil' spider from the witches hat, and the little banner from a title sticker, and made little slashed in between them so they would curve...
oh and I cut around the spider web on the journaling card (in this case a mat) so it would tuck around the next card... AND the little "Happy Halloween" is from the strip on the end of the paper that usually gets thrown out. I used lots of pop dots to make the house and tree stand out too! There is nothing on this layout besides adhesive and a pen that isn't Echo Park!

FABULOUS Imaginisce GIVEAWAY!!

I think it just might be work a trip over to the Imaginisce blog for this giveaway!

I think Imaginisce might just be the most generous company EVER!

I know I love 'em! :)

So GO! Win yourself this fabulous prize pack!

August Kit @ The Story Matters! (REVEAL DAY!)

Can I just say I am LOVIN' this kit?
I already loved Megan Klauer's style! (She is never short on it!)
But when we set her loose to design this months kit??
Uhm, HEL-LO!!
I have SO much left, and I have already done 3 layouts! Last count Megan has done SEVEN!
(cough) :)

So head on over to The Story Matters... THIS kit, is sure to fly off the shelves-and when their gone, their GONE!!

Here are the first of my creations:
For this, I ACTUALLY Stickle "splattered" and (sit down please) STITCHED! :)
I got that collection of thread out and I added some stitching! It took NO time at all to add these little accents!
I LOVE this picture! It was taken right outside work (there were several rainbow's this last spring) and it was so CLEAR and the clouds so PUFFY!
It reminded me to continue to take the time to enjoy the journey and to not miss the details!

Imaginisce August Sketch....

It's that time of month! It's time for sketch inspiration from Imaginisce!
This sketch is AWESOME! I think you'll agree!Be sure to visit each designer's blog and leave us all some love!
And participating in the sketch and even commenting can lead you to some awesome
Imaginisce product! I can't say enough about each paper line I have worked with-AND I can not say enough about the i-top and the i-rock! I'll warn you though... once you start i-rock-ing it's hard to stop!!

So here is my take on the sketch!
I used one of my favorite lines, Scooter's Vacation! I just LOVE the camera print paper!

Thanks for stoppin'! Now hop on over to the other girls blogs! :)

Sarah de Guzman

Akiko Karoki

Robyn Schaub

Melinda Spinks

Tammy Wark

Aida Haron

Renata Moni

Kim Holmes

Cindy Stevens

Tomomi Hiramura

Shemaine Smith

Penny Smith

Samantha Hauzer

Liz Qualman

Heather Carpenter

Pinky Hobbs
Cari Locken
Tracy Gardiner

Somethin' simple...

Playin' with some Paper Trunk!
(Be sure to visit their blog regularly! Lots of inspiration!)

Can I just say I do not sew (yet.)
So I love the 12 inch stitching stamp!

I messed around with some "Maybe Baby" and kept it simple.
I found these pictures in my photo box, and since there favorites of mine...
The paper line has circles and flowers... I decided to keep it simple and just used the circles!
LOVE the colors of this line!

Thanks for stopping by-and STAY COOL! :)

I'll take some Apple Cider please...

OK, so I can't say I am ready for fall just yet. But I AM ready for this yummy fall LINE by Imaginisce, being released this week! The colors are wonderful! I haven't even gotten to the tree paper yet!Yes, this is a 8 1/2x 11 layout. I like to do those once in awhile.
This layout also have nothing to do with fall. I like to doing that with seasonal or themed lines too.
That's how I roll. :)

Once I did the layout, I thought I would use the same background for the card!
(Yes... try not to fall over. I did a card. :) )
Those stickers on the card are canvas!

Go check out their blog for daily inspiration with this line, and the sneak peeks starting this week of Christmas Cottage too!

Stay cool! (Easier said than done, right?)

For Cora...

Thank you for all of you that have been asking about Cora and her upcoming surgery!

So it's time for her FOURTH surgery for her cleft this Friday. And it's a hard one!
She is having a bone graph to repair the jaw portion of her cleft, and a pharyngeal flap created to hopefully help with her speech.
They suspect we will be in the hospital for 3 days.
If you are willing to let us "see" your prayers and thoughts of concern, please go ahead and mail a card to:

Genesis East
Patient: Cora Smith, Pediatrics
1227 Rusholme Street
Davenport, Iowa 52803

(Gift Shop:
Phone: 563-421-7610
Hours: Monday - Friday 10 am - 8 pm
Saturday - 10 am - 4 pm
Sunday - 2 pm - 4 pm)

Or send a hospital "cheer card" Friday or Saturday. (Click here to go to the site.)
The only thing she really remembers from last time is the cards and critters she got when she was in the hospital last time. I hope to make a banner of her cards so she can SEE all the people praying for her! It has been a couple years since her last surgery. This will likely be one of the hardest of the surgeries planned.
Thank you SO much for your prayers and support!
It means the world!
(P.S.-I will probably be unavailable online this week, but if you want to be updated, go to facebook. I can update that easily from my phone. The link to my facebook is to the right. Thanks!)

Today's Steal-Xyron Design Runner...

... I am CONVINCED that the Xyron Design Runner would make a HUGE come back if they used the fabulous layouts by Megan Klauer for their examples! She ROCKS Today's Steal-the Xyron Design Runner! AND they have disc bundles for sale too!

Here are some examples (sorry Megan-I just HAD to toot your Xyron work! :) )
This is the current The Story Matters kit...
check out the sewing. Yep-that's the Xyron! The Junkits Patternz disc.
more sewing... (and you can print words/journaling out with an add on, of any font you have.) Those cut little retro looking circles/suns... yep, Xyron design runner!
So GO, get a deal! :)
(And yes, I have it... and need to use it more! I just blanked on a recent layout I have done using it! :) )

Create already!!

So I got some more creating done...

Pebbles Inc... LOVE the Tree House Collection! Bright!
And I got 27 pictures on a 12x12 layout! :)
And Imaginisce Birthday Bash!
OH my goodness I love these banners! Can't tell from this one, huh?? :)
The "It's Party Time" embellishment is on a spring! Hard to photograph, but fun on a layout!
I made that frame from the patterned paper... let's just say I am NOT mathematically inclined!
And I'm still in the mood to create... we'll see what I come up with next! :)

The Story Matters July

So ya think it's summer huh?
I LOVED this kit... (more of my creations coming with the challenges!)Even though we added some "predictable" red, white and blue...

(These star were simply cricut cut, then scored, then pop dotted under the center to keep their dimension!)
...it also offered enough variation in it's palate and second sides for me to create this!


Want your string to "stay put" where you lay it? I just used a touch of "Art Glitter" glue along the back of the string randomly amongst the twists and turns... it's on there now! You have GOT to go check out the other inspiration from the other designers!
And remember-there are challenges weekly at TSM!

The 4th (OK... the 3rd)

We weren't planning anything...
and then this happened... :)
Food...

Friends and family...
Michele was like the wizard with her magical smoke bombs (and other firework fare!)
"SNAP!!" :) (remember those??)
HE was having a great time! :)
And in the end... THIS is what it is all about! Check out those FACES!
And there HAS to be sparklers!! :)
Happy 4th everyone! If it doesn't rain, we are going to let Park View host the show for us tonight! (This beauty was one of the neighbors! :) )

July Page Maps...

I contributed to July Page Maps!

Mine was done twice because the designer that did the same layout was actually suppose to do the layout that was missing a sample. OOPS! :)
Fun to see it two ways though!

I used the new Paper Trunk release-"Rockabilly"!

Have a FANTASTIC holiday weekend!!! :)
Too bad the 4th is a Sunday.
No long weekend for us. :(