Sketch Class time at Inspired to Scrap

This Tuesday we kick off another stellar sketch class at Inspired to Scrap. If you need a kick start on your scrapping, this will do it! We have more than 15 sketches, a TON of samples and tips, and some great prizes to motivate you! I even contributed 2 sketches. Plus- I have gotten plenty of pages finished in preparing for the class. We even have digital files for all of you DIGI SCRAPPERS!

I hope you will join us…you won’t be sorry!! We’ve got a great group of ladies signed up already and I can hardly wait to see what they all do with the class sketches and ideas!

February 1-15: Inspired by Sketches- $15

Back by popular demand is our sketch class!

Features of the class-

Brand new *exclusive* sketches!
Access to a private area of the message board
Daily sketches
Digital sketch templates
Photo and/or Video tutorials on a variety of techniques
All new sketches and layouts to spark your creativity
Encouragement and support to complete 15+ layouts
Inspiration from fellow classmates
Prizes!!
**Plus an extra two weeks to complete the challenges to be entered into a prize drawing!

Super Girl

1.28 - Hen Party Friday at Scrap Chicks- Holiday Have To

If you're anything like me- the Holidays are the toughest pages to scrap. Ok- maybe not the toughest, but the ones I tend to put off.


This weeks Hen Party Challenge is to create a layout/project revolving around a Holiday. Easy peasy! Any holiday. Birthday, Christmas, St. Patty's Day, Earth Day or in my case, Halloween.

Here is my sample layout. My dear friend Brett gave me a gift certificate to Scrapbook.com for a belated birthday present. I bought some new papers that I used here.

TITLE: SuperGirl
Journaling: You were all set to go as Superman until Dad mentioned Super Girl- you were sold. We made a trip (several) to get fabri so I could sew your costume. From the gold belt to the cape- it turned out so cute & you looked great in it. Your favorite parts were the boot covers and cape. A true super heo on the the lok out for Halloween tricks and treats. 10/10.

Product: Bella Blvd alpha & paper, Doodlebug Designs alpha, October Afternoon paper, Echo Park paper.

One.Little.Word 2011

Each year in the scrap world Ali Edwards challenges us to pick ONE little word as a "focus" for the new year.

2008 Balance
2009 Relax

Last year my word was New. 2010 was a year of new beginnings and new adventures. On January 26th, 2010 I welcomed my third daughter Eleanor Margaret into the world and became a mother of 3. In September, I started a new job at the YWCA after a year of being unemployed. Nick accepted a new position as a professor at UW-Stevens Point in addition to running Big Fat Designs. The girls each had new changes- Scout started her new preschool/daycare at the YWCA and Ellie started going to Amy, our awesome inhome daycare, Bennet started 4K. So much NEW.

I love this idea because it makes me take a step back and evaluate me. At least once a year I slow down to ponder who I am and what I want to do to be a better, happier me.

My word for 2011 is TIME. I recently heard a speech given by a young woman who grew up without alot of the benefits that most people have. She said that she never felt that she went without because her mother gave her the best gift. A free gift. The gift of her time.

I've often said that no one has any more time than the next person. We are all given 24 hours in the day. No more- no less. What we choose to do with it is up to us.

This year I want to take the TIME to listen better.

Take TIME for just me. Without guilt.

Spend more undivided TIME with my girls and Nick.

Find TIME for moments of lifting laughter.

My friend Casie gave me this mug as a Christmas gift last year. Little did she know that it would become a staple for 2011 and beyond.

Happy 1st Birthday to Eleanor Margaret

How is it possible that an entire year has already passed? Each year has the same number of days, but I feel like Ellie's first year went by even faster than usual. But like Nick said the other day- it feels like she's always been here. It seems like yesterday that I was questioning every ache and pain and hoping that today would be her arrival day.

Sweet Ellie- this is what I love about you.

I love how your eyes literally sparkle when you see your Dad or me pop our head in your room in the morning.

I love how you go to sleep without a peep.

I love when you make monkey noises to your stuffed monkey.

I love your brown hair and brown eyes. They are distinctively you.

I love your throaty giggle.

I love your go-with-the-flow personality. It makes the rest of your family run smoother.

I love that you're a good sleeper and eater.
I love how you do a little side-to-side shimmy when you're proud of yourself.

I love that you know when you're being sneaky/funny and your face shows it.

I love that you want to walk but are taking your time. That's fine with me!

The little things (so I don't forget):
6 teeth. 4 on the top. 2 on the bottom.
Wearing 24 m/2T clothes.
Loves bathtime.
Adores the cats.
Eating what we eat and drinking what we drink.
Uses a sippy cup.
Goes to bed at 7 p.m. and wakes at 6:30 a.m.
Still takes 2 naps a day.
Wants to hold utensils and do it herself.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ELEANOR!! We love you and are so happy that you are ours.

Cold Temps Means Hot Weather Layouts

Last weekend I snuck some scrapping time in and participated in the Scrapbook Nook's online crop. Here are a couple layouts I did about our annual 4th of July weekend with my family in MN.

TITLE: My Favorite Day

Product: Scenic Route paper, Echo Park paper, Hambly, Cosmo Cricket alpha, October Afternoon alpha, Making Memories alpha

TITLE: Party of 5
I just took a sampling of photos from the weekend and did a simple grid design. I love blocking and grids! Added some machine stitching too .

Product: Echo Park pp, Scenic Route pp, American Crafts alpha, Heidi Grace rub ons, Creative Imaginations embellie

Smile Laugh Sister

I am inspired by quotes on a daily basis. Some make me smile, others make me laugh and some make me cry.


This week's Hen Party Friday challenge at Scrap Chicks is to create a layout/card/project that uses a QUOTE as the title or in the journaling.

TITLE: I smile because we're sisters. I laugh because there's nothing you can do about it.
Photos of one of my sisters, Katie and me through the years. From high school to college to present.
Making Memories alpha, Doodlebug Designs alpha, Cosmo Cricket paper, Creative Imaginations embellishment, Scenic Route journaling spot

Right Now

Today I Am: looking forward to a Scout-centered evening since Bennet is going to a sleepover. She has a busier social calendar than her parents.

Listening: to Kaleidoscope Heart by Sara Bareilles

Reading: The Memory Keepers Daughter by Kim Edwards.

Wishing for:  a long weekend at the cabin. Always.

Thinking About: where I was a year ago since Ellie's 1st birthday is next week.

Planning To: make homemade pizzas and watch a movie with Scout tonight.

Dreaming Of: finding a way to make our mornings less hectic. Not sure it can be acheived but I'm going to try.

Enjoying: watching tv with Nick at night when the girls go to bed. Even if it's a 1/2 hour.

Vowing to: get Ellie's 1 year portraits scheduled. Can't let the 3rd kid fall through the cracks.
Working on: getting my house back in order and clean!

Excited About: Seeing friends this weekend at the Boys and Girls Club fundraiser, Wine, Cheese and All That Jazz.

And a photo of Scoutie. She LOVES skirts and dresses. She got this one for Christmas from G&G Sweeney and is easily her current fave because "Mom- it has polka spots, glitta, buddafly and wibbon. And pink- see!"