We came in second place....

Good Evening,
Ashlea's dance competition season is now underway. We had our first comp this past weekend at the State Fair. We came in second place and our dance this year is so 'sassy', I love it! However, I was trying to watch it through the view finder of my camera.

Here she is in the center on this one. This one is kind of blurry, lots of sassy shaking in this dance....



She is the one up front in the center in both photos.....

This is the entire team of Jr. Preps as the routine comes to a close...

oh the joys of being 10 and loving life!!!

I just finished my second session of therapy on my shoulder and it is much better....I'm getting ready to ice it and get some papers graded....
Blessing

Your Smile...

Good Morning,
This is a quick post as I didn't get home until 12:30 am this morning and I'm posting from school....Today is a new challenge reveal at Practical Scrappers, this week we want to see white pens used on your projects.
This is one of my favorite photos taken this summer of my little Hunter. I used my white pen to doodle the ovals and journal around the border of the layout. Click to make the photo larger to read my journaling.

Can't wait to see what you do with this challenge. Please visit the rest of my PS sisters for more inspiration!
Oh, and I'll have a post up tomorrow to share about Ashlea's dance comp!!!!
Blessings,

Better Scrap Reveal

Good Morning,

I'm in Louisville this weekend for the Sate Fair. My little Ashlea is having her very first dance comp today! Then I'll be traveling the 4 hours back home. I'll update you all after the comp to let you know their standings.

Today is a new challenge reveal at Betterscrap. Better Living Through Scrapbooking Challenge #5

“Inspirational Quote challenge”
Create a layout that is based on your favorite inspirational quote. Need some ideas? Visit http://www.inspirational-quotes.info/ for a great searchable collection of quotes.
Chose at least 2 of the following:
1. Use one 5×7 photo of a place or thing that inspires you.
2. Use a palette similar to this one at ColourLovers.com.
3. Make this a double 12×12 or double 8 1/2 x 11 layout, with at least 2 photos per page.
4. Place your title on a circular or wavy path.
5. Use a transparency of some sort on your page, whether an actual transparency sheet (Hambly Screen Prints, Fancy Pants) or transparent embellishment (Heidi Swapp Ghost Shapes, Making Memories) that you purchased, or a handmade transparency made by hand or with your computer printer.

Be sure to see the post above to see what our wonderfully creative design team has done with this challenge!


Deadline to enter Challenge #5 (and all other September challenges) is midnight EST September 30th, 2010.

My inspirational quote is from the old testament...

Supplies:
Discount Cardstock; Patterned papers: Graphic 45 “Le Romantique Collection”; Flowers: Prima; Embellishments: Recollections butterfly; Misc: Lace; Ink: Close to My Heart “Dessert Sand”

I chose to use the title cut in a circular path for my inspirational quote and I used a simple office transparency to cover the photos. This layout features photos from the Bonaventure Cemetery in Savannah, Georgia. This is one of my favorite places on earth. The entire city inspires me. I know that I’m a Southern Belle from the long ago historic days of Savannah that is trapped in a modern world. When I visit, my soul feels at peace!

Our design team sponsor for the month of September is Graphic 45. Since their inception just a few short years ago, Graphic 45 has enjoyed phenomenal growth and popularity within the scrapbooking community. With their unique and innovative lines mirroring the designs and patterns of bygone days, Graphic 45 embraces and encourages the love of all things vintage and heritage.

To encourage Better Living Through Scrapbooking, Graphic 45 is giving away a 12×12 paper pad of their brand new line, Christmas Past. These papers have just started to ship to stores after debuting at the CHA summer show, and you could be one of the first to get your hands on them!

Sketches in Thyme Challenge 12

Good Morning,
Today is Challenge 12 reveal day over at Sketches in Thyme! Can you all believe it has already been 12 weeks? So much fun and wowza at the inspiration each week brings from the Mavens and you, the participants! I love it!!!!
I have a muscle injury on my right shoulder and I'm having a difficult time getting "quality" blog time. I'm seeking treatment after school today. This is a stress injury that keeps recurring. It hasn't ever been this bad. I'm actually having spasms right now and it is miserable! So if you know any great remedies, please share them, Dawn, I know you understand what is happening.

Now on to the dazzling sketch this week by Helen Croft at Scrap-a-Little Sketches......

Here is my take on it!

I used some leftover pictures of the Little Kids and the yummy new Splendor kit from CTMH for this one! Everything on the page came from that kit and the ink is CTMH too.

Don't forget this is the very last week to play along to win this yummy prize put together so lovingly by Fern

I hope you all have a great day!

Blessings,

Delicious Doodles Blog Hop

The Sisterhood and CSNStores.com are sponsoring our Sister Teri's one year blog shop anniversary! And we are celebrating the beautiful digital designs she has been sharing with us for the last year over at Delicious Doodles. Teri is giving out Birthday Bash Freebies all week - be sure to get you some.
CSNStores.com has donated a $60 gift certificate that you can use on anything you like. CSN Stores has over 200 online stores where you can find everything from dinnerware, to storage, to sofas and suitcases!Teri is our across the pond sister and we are so proud of her! We are hopping for the next two weeks then we have a whole new round of challenges for you crafty little geniuses so be sure to make the rounds and come back to The Sisterhood September 1st for some fun!

This is where you start to hop and we have a big treat there are going to be give aways on several of the hoppers blogs so you will want to be sure to leave some love on each one. And if you leave a project linked you'll get a double entry for the grand prize drawing. The challenge for this week is to create a project using one of Teri's Delicious Doodles.

This is the start of the hop and then make your way around and you'll end up at Delicious Doodles. We certainly hope you have a great time and enjoy checking out all the Delicious Doodle goodness!

Here is the lineup if you get lost along the way.

Kim = You are here :)
Micki
Darlene
Boni
Tanis
Teri
Lisa
Terri
Diane
Delicious Doodles

Happy hopping and we can't wait to see your Doodle"icious" creations. You have until midnight of Sunday, August 29th to link your project and get in on the gift certificate. The winner will be announced on Tuesday, August 31st along with our Top Three pick. My winner will receive 5 of her choice of Delicious Doodles! Winner to be announed on August 31.
Here is one of her darling little Christmas images, you know it is time to get your holiday cards started.....

Blessings,

Brads and Bytes Newsletter....

Good Morning,
Today I'm sharing my layout for our very first Brads and Bytes Newsletter over at Better Living through Scrapbooking. You can find our newsletter right here!

Here is our sketch

and here is what I did with it.....

Hop on over and check it out! My Betterscrap sisters did a fab job with this sketch too! Be sure to leave them some love!

Blessings,

Hope

Good Morning,
It is Monday and a new challenge is revealed today at Practical Scrappers. This week we want to see you use some lace cardstock! I just had a little bit of this left in my stash, I decided to cut it to a 6 X 6 size card. I used my pearlz glimmer mist to add more shimmer to it. Then decided it needed some big bling!

Then just for a punch of color, I chose a ribbon with some coral and green polka dots. I also still had a cute ticket left over from my Lucky Girl August Kit.....

Don't forget to visit the dt all week for more lace cardstock inspiration, and remember that we are sponsored this month by Sassy Studio Designs.
Blessings,

Better Scrap Reaval 4....

Good Morning,
Today is Challenge #4 at Betterscrap....

Search your stash for sheets or scraps of paper that aren’t your favorites and that you might not reach for first, and use them on a layout!

Chose at least 2 of the following:
1. Use a 12×12 sheet of “ugly” paper as your layout background.
2. Use at least 3 scraps of “ugly” paper somewhere on the page where they can be seen.
3. Use 2 4×6 photos, any orientation.
4. Use “stitching” somewhere on the page. It can be actual sewn stitches, or your stitches can be hand drawn, created with a template, or stamped.
5. Use color mist (such as Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist, or a homemade ink or paint mist) anywhere on your page

Here is my ugly paper layout.

The ugly paper challenge inspired me to create this layout for my oldest niece, Megan. I would have never used this background paper if not for this challenge. When I went through my scrap stash and put it all together, I love the way this turned out!

I used #1 to find a piece of “ugly” 12 x 12 background cardstock, #2 to use 3 scraps of “ugly” paper, and #3 use two 4X6 photos.

Supplies: papers are Making Memories, Colorbok, and Fancy Pants. Crate Paper chipboard, Close to My Heart inks, bling from Recollections, and flowers from Prima

Don’t forget – anyone who participates in all four of this month’s challenges is eligible to win the grand prize from Piggy Tales. However, be sure to keep your eyes open throughout the month, because we will also be giving away some RAKs and goodies to everyone that participates in any of our weekly challenges.
Please hop over and visit my incredibly talented Betterscrap sitters to be inspired by their "ugly" paper projects!
Have a great day!!!!

First Day.....

Good Morning,
Today is Friday and that is a new challenge reveal at Frosted Designs. My super talented sister and friend, Jessica is hosting this week. Her challenge it to create a back to school themed page.
I had to do this adorable photo of the little kids on the first day of school. This was taken last Wednesday.

I used all papers from Making Memories, stamps and ink from CTMH, Storybook, Makin the Grade, and George cricut carts and notice the yummy aphas! Those are from the Lucky Girl August Kit, Old School.

Speaking of Lucky Girl, Jessica is sponsoring our prize this month, check this out....

Be sure to check out the rest of my fabby frosted sisters for more inspiration!
Blessings,

Us...

Good Morning,

Today is reveal day for Challenge # 11 over at Sketches in Thyme! We have another wonderful sketch from Helen Croft of scrapalittlesketches.com.....

I am loving her sketches! They are just so fun and can be interpreted in so many wonderful ways!

Here is my layout!

These are photos of my little kids and Megan with Nana and Poppie while at the beach.

I used all papers from Hobby Lobby. The flowers are cut from the same stack of papers. The title is Doodle Bug sugar coated alphas.

Don't forget that we have a prize up for the month of August, you can see it in my sidebar. You'll want to be sure and visit the Mavens today to see the incredible inspiration they have for you!

Blessings,

Kim xXx

The Sisterhood Blog Hop

Good Morning,
The Sisterhood and CSNStores.com are sponsoring our Sister Teri's one year anniversary! And we are celebrating the beautiful digital designs she has been sharing with us for the last year over at Delicious Doodles (and Teri is giving out Birthday Bash Freebies all week - be sure to get you some).
And CSNStores.com has donated a $60 gift certificate that you can use on anything you like.

CSN Stores has over 200 online stores where you can find everything from dinnerware to storage, to sofas and suitcases!

Teri is our across the pond sister and we are so proud of her! We are hopping for the next two weeks then we have a whole new round of challenges for you crafty little geniuses so be sure to make the rounds and come back to The Sisterhood September 1st for some fun!

This is where you start to hop and we have a big treat there are going to be give aways on several of the hoppers blogs so you will want to be sure to leave some love on each one. And if you leave a project linked you'll get a double entry for the grand prize drawing.

Now you must start at The Sisterhood then make your way around and back again. We certainly hope you have a great time and enjoy checking out all the Delicious Doodle goodness!


I am giving away your choice of any 5 Delicious Doodles! All you have to do is leave a comment here and visit all the sisters in the hop. I'll announce my winner on Saturday, August 21.
[here's the lineup if you get lost along the way]
Kim (Me)
Micki
Darlene
Boni
Tanis
Teri
Lisa
Terri
Diane

Sneak Peek....

Good Morning,

I have a sneak peek for you today! Tomorrow is a big day over at The Sisterhood!!!

Please come back tomorrow for the big news and reveal!!!!!

Blessings,

Good Friends....

Good Morning,
Today is Monday and that means a new challenge is up at Practical Scrappers, and this week we want to see your stitching....

I used a ctmh pen to create my faux stitches around the title and a machine to stitch on the felt. All papers are Cosmo Cricket, the bloom is from stash and the bling is from Michael's.

Don't forget our sponsor this week is Sassy Studio Designs, post your stitching projects by 5:00 pm on Saturday....
Visit the rest of the dt all week to check out the fabulous inspiration they have for you!!!
Have a great Monday...
Blessings,

ghost walk....

Good Morning,

Today is challenge #3 over at Betterscrap....

The photoless layout challenge
Create a layout about a happy memory or event in your life that you have no photos of. This could be a childhood memory, an event that did not allow cameras, or perhaps you just forgot to take pictures that day!

Choose at least 2 of the following:
1. Use memorabilia in lieu of photos. If you have a map, brochure, flyer, receipts, or other paperwork from that day or event, use them on the layout.
2. Create your own photos of the memory or event. Take photos of favorite souvenirs from the day or event. Use your kids or grandkids, pets, or even dolls or stuffed animals to recreate a photo to represent the memory.
3. Use your favorite die-cut machine to create your page title.
4. Use at least two metallic elements on the layout.
5. Distress some element of your page - fray, tear, or crumple paper, or use distress ink or other distressing techniques on your page.

Here is what I came up with....

I used # 1-a brochure from my ghost walk tour in Savannah, #3- used the expression to cut my title, and #5-distressing inks, crumpled and torn paper.

Supplies:

paper and ink are CTMH, flowers are Bazzill and Prima, cardstock is Basic Grey, and I used some pearlz glimmer mist.

Please hop on over to visit my super talented dt sisters and enjoy all their inspiration! I hope you are up for this challenge, I'd love to see how you interpret this one!!!!

Have a terrific Sunday!

Blessings,

fun at 6...

Good Morning,

I'm so sorry that I've not visited much this week...I've been so pooped by the time I get home in the evening. It is all I can do to eat, do a load of laundry and get my posts scheduled....I should be back into my school/blog routine by next week! I really miss seeing all your wonderful layouts and cards.

This is a layout for Jon-Christopher's birthday this year. I did this one for our weekend online crop at Practical Scrappers.


All papers and inks are CTMH, the 'fun' is from a stash of chipboard, the @ and the 6 are from Cherry Limeade. This was a super fun layout to create! Enjoy your Friday!!!

Blessings,

Bonaventure....

Good Morning,

Today is challenge 10 at Sketches in Thyme, already?!!!! I'm so very pleased to share this sketch with you, it comes to you by Helen Croft of scarp-a-littlesketches.com.

I love this sketch....

Here is what I came up with....this is a trip to Bonaventure Cemetery in Savannah, GA. I know that this is the most beautiful and peaceful place I have ever seen on earth.

My journaling goes on to say that I imagine Heaven to be like Bonaventure.

I used all K & Co papers, Bazzill Bloom, brads and bling from Hobby Lobby and the ink is CTMH.

I hope you take a few moments to visit the Mavens and allow them to inspire you. I hope the sketch makes you want to play along with us! Don't forget we have a prize for August, you can see it in my sidebar.

Blessings,

back to school....

Good Morning,
Today is a new challenge reveal at The Sisterhood. It is my day to host and what better theme than.....Back to School? I chose to use a Sassy Studio Designs image of Rah Rah Rhonda to make a card for Ashlea. She cheers all school year, from football in the fall to basketball through spring. I'm giving her a box of cheer goodies and this is the card to accompany it.

The paper, ticket and flowers on this card are little bits of my August Lucky Girl kit. Don't forget to stop by and order yours today!!!!!

Hop on over to check out what my crafty sisters have come up with for your back to school inspiration!
Can't wait to see what you all create!!!!
Blessings,

I adore you....

Good Morning,

Today I'm sharing a layout of my sweet Honeybee! I love how this one turned out. My Practical Scrappers sister, Erin, designed this sketch for our weekend crop....

don't you love it, visit Erin and tell her how you do....

Here is what I came up with....

All papers, inks, stamps are CTMH, the blooms are Prima, the pearls are Kaiser, the bling is from Hobby Lobby and I used stickles. The little ticket is from the Lucky Girl August kit...

Have a terrific Tuesday!

Oh, by the way, we actually had 65 third graders show up on Monday. I have 21 in my homeroom, there are 2 more third grade teachers in my team. We team teach and call them all ours. I teach on reading group, 2 writing groups, and all social studies....It was a great day!
Blessings,

boys of summer....

Good Morning,

As you are reading this, my first day of school with students, has begun. We have 61 beautiful new third graders coming in this year. Please pray for us today!

For those of you who joined in our Anniversary last week and this weekend at Practical Scrappers, Thank You, and I hope you enjoyed every minute of it!

Moving on to the new challenge this week, a summer theme project! Pull out any photos of boating, swimming, watermelon eating, bbq's, camp fires with smores....we want to see them!

I used this sketch from SOUS for my inspiration.....

Here is my layout. I chose some fun photos of my little boys from July at the lakehouse. It doesn't get more summer than this...

We had docked the boat up on an island and the kids played for hours in the lake. You can see that Megan's pink float was worth a million bucks to them that day!

All papers used are Junkitz from long, long ago. The ribbon and staples are from stash and ink is ctmh.

I hope to see you playing along this week! don't forget to visit the dt each day this week to see their summer theme inspiration!
Blessings,

Because of you....

Good Morning,

Better Living Through Scrapbooking Challenge #2

This week’s challenge is to create a page layout about the most influential person in your life.

Chose a person, living or dead, whether you know them personally or not, that has had a big influence on your life, and create a layout about them. This person can be a friend, relative, historical figure, celebrity – anyone at all.

Choose at least 2 of the following:
* The photo must be black & white. If you don’t have a black & white version, change the photo to black & white in your favorite photo editing software, or take the photo to your local 1-hour photo and have them do it for you. You can also make a black & white copy of the photo at your local office store. If you do not have a photo of the person (if they are a historical figure or celebrity) find one on the internet and print it out.
* Use at least one major circular element on your page – whether it’s the photo, photo mat, or other noticeable circular element.
* Use paint or ink in a fun and unusual way.
* Hand make your own flowers and use them on the layout.
* Include hand written journaling

And here is my reveal....

I chose a black and white photo of my Mom and I at the beach, a handmade rose (love how it came out), hand written journaling, and a large circle element.

All the papers, ink, and stamps for this one are CTMH. The bling is Prima and Kaiser, the ribbon is from my stash.

You must visit the Better Scrap Girls to read about who has influenced them. While there, leave them some scrappy love!!!!

Deadline to enter Challenge #2 (and all other August challenges, including challenge #1) is midnight EST August 31st, 2010.

Blessings,

wish, live, soar

Good Morning,

Happy Saturday to you all! Have you been over to the big anniversary crop at Practical Scrappers? You can find out all the details here! Hurry, there are games, sketches, prizes, oh my!!!!

I have a layout to share this morning. This is my niece Samantha Jean. She is the one who spent two weeks in Europe this summer. She had a camp at the University of Louisville before leaving. These photos were taken outside the school of music. The sculpture on the building looks like a bird soaring to new heights. That is why I included the little bird cut on here.

All supplies for this page are from my August Old School Lucky Girl kit, except the Bazzill cardstock. I have to get up with this lovely lady to get cd's burned of ALL her hundreds of photos from Europe.

I hope to see you visiting the online crop today at PS!!!
Blessings,

It's Croppin' Time!

WOOT WOOT! The celebration has offically started on our message board! Our online crop has kicked off with many great challenges to get you through the weekend. So if you haven't had enough of challenges throughout the week there are plenty more for the weekend....sketch challenges, color challenges, even some about clowns hanging around! Many great prizes donated from Glitz Girls, The Stamping Boutique, Wink Wink Ink and some of our generous design team members. Don't be left out of this party-- get your party hat and horn and join in on the fun! Just click the Practical Scrappers Message Board tab on the left side bar and you will find all the challenges under the Online Crop Category! Hope to see you there!
Blessings,

celebrate life....

Good Morning,
I'm sorry that I didn't get to read any blogs last night. It was first day back for teachers and we had Open House at school from 5-7. I didn't get out until 7:30 and home @ 8. I ate dinner and hit the bed! I'll be visiting tonight....

Well, today is my day to host the Frosted Designs challenge. I chose the theme "Celebrate Life." The reason behind this theme, today is Granny's 84 birthday and I want to celebrate!!!! Happy Birthday, Gran!!!! I love you! I'm using the Friday Sketch at Practical Scrappers by our fabby designer, Pia...isn't this fun?!!!



And here is my take on it....This is Gran with Megan (bottom) and Ashlea while at the beach this spring. She loves birds, flowers, and all things that God gives us in nature. So this layout is all about celebrating her.....

All papers and embellies are Making Memories (Chloe's Closet), the stamps and ink are CTMH. I used some stickles to accentuate the flowers and birds, as well as to add just a hint of shimmer.
I also chose to use a colored pencil border for the photos rather than cut paper mats. I really like the effect of it.
Here is a better look at the stickles and the birds....

Now, head on over to check out my fabby Frosted sister's inspiration for you as well! Leave them some love!!!! I can't wait to see how you Celebrate Life.....

Blessings,