Thursday, January 26, 2012

A Gathering Of Cousins

I dug into a box of old pictures and came across one of me (bottom left) and three of my cousins.  Gosh this was ages ago!  Don't know the date, but I do know the place, my dad's parents house down on the Chesapeake Bay, MD.  I loved going for a visit and especially when my grandfather would take us out on a boat ride.  Those were the good old days!
Another fun layout using my January kit from Artful Delight!

Artful Delight's February kit reveal was posted yesterday and you can check out the post here.
Mine came in the mail yesterday and I can't wait to dig in and start creating!

Thanks for stopping by!
. . . Debbie

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

My Sweet Zoey

It's been a while since I've scrapped a picture of my sweet dog Zoey!!  
I call her my little shadow, as she follows me everywhere when I'm at home.
I made the decision this year to be more active in challenge blogs.  When I saw the current challenge Weekend Warm Up #23 over at ScrapFIT, I knew it was for me.  Use kraft cardstock on your layout.  Artful Delight's January kit is full of kraft papers, plain and patterned.
I used kraft cardstock as my background paper and also punch the heart border using my Martha Stewart Lace Heart border punch.
I've not worked with kraft papers much and I must admit that I've enjoyed using my January kit from Artful Delight with all of the kraft papers by My Mind's Eye and Jillibean Soup.
Thanks for stopping by!
. . . Debbie

Friday, January 20, 2012

I'm Back And I Have Lots To Share . . .

I want to thank all of you for your well wishes and prayers for my mom.  It's been an emotional journey that has a happy ending.  Friday 1/6, my sister and I were advised by the doctors that my mom wasn't going to make it.  Her sodium levels had dropped to a critical level and her body was shutting down.  In a flash we found ourselves saying our good byes. Well it seems as though God had other plans for my mom.  He wasn't ready for her yet.  After 4 days in ICU my mom was released and is doing fine.   I am so thankful to still  have my mom! 

I'm thrilled to be the guest designer over at Stuck On U Sketches!  Back in 2010 I was on their design team.  Sandi, one of the co-creators of SOUS asked me to be a guest designer, and I couldn't resist.
Thanks girls for having me! 
My layout is of my parents on their wedding day!  It felt good to use up more of my stash.  I just love the beautiful papers in the Crate Paper Portrait collection.

Here are a few closeups:

I added lots and lots of Recollection pearls.
 I got to use my new Martha Stewart Vintage Doily punch.  I hunted high and low for this punch and was finally able to purchase it from Frantic Stamper.  What do you think of that beautiful resin photo corner?  Isn't it beautiful!!!!  I found it at Michaels.  They have several different packages of them by Recollections.
The newest sketch at SOUS is designed by Nanne, and it's a gorgeous sketch:
Please stop by SOUS to see what their DT has created using Nanne's sketch and join in on the challenge!

Don't forget that today is the January Blog Hop at Frosted Designs!
Start the blog hop  here at Frosted Designs!  Have fun!!!!
And while you're there, don't forget that Frosted Designs is having a Design Team Call.  Check out all of the details here.
You also still have time to enter the sketch challenge at Artful Delight.  Create a project using the January sketch for a chance to win the February kit! 

Between my mom and blogger issues, I haven't been doing much crafting lately or visiting your blogs.  But I want to let you all know that I am back up and and running, and if blogger behaves I will be around to visit all of you.
Thanks for stopping by!
. . . Debbie

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Frosted Designs Design Team Call!!

 Frosted Designs is having a design team call!  
If you want to work with an amazing group of talented designers, we are looking to add some new design team members!  If you are interested and want to apply, head on over to Frosted Designs for all of the details.
 
We are looking for papercrafters of all kinds! If you can make scrapbook layouts, cards, altered art items, home decor items or like mixed media.... we want you!! One of the best things about Frosted Designs (in my opinion) is that we celebrate all kinds of crafters! We are not just a scrapbooking blog or a card blog. We want to let everyone share their skills and with 3 challenges going on all the time, there is something for everyone! We would like to fill some positions on all three of our teams. Let me tell you more about each one....

Fabulous Friday Teams: We have two teams of ladies that make up our Fabulous Friday teams. The focus of this team is to use up supplies you already have laying around the house that may have been neglected and forgotten about. For this team, you should be willing to do any of the following: scrapbook layouts, cards, altered art, home decor and mixed media items!

Sketch Along Tuesday Layout Team: This team makes scrapbook layouts that are inspired by the sketches we give them.

Sketch Along Tuesday Card Team: This team makes cards that are inspired by the sketches we give them.

No matter which team you prefer, the requirments for all of our designers remain the same....
1. Be willing to commit to a six month term. Your term would start the beginning of March and go until the end of August.
2. Create a project every other week for your assigned team.
3. Share a step by step tutorial 2 times during your 6 month term. (This can be with photos or video)
4. You will be required to comment on some of the projects that are entered into our challenge each week.
5. Keep an active blog that is updated frequently.
6. Post our challenge and your project on your blog on reveal day and link back to the Frosted Designs blog.
 
Thanks for stopping by!
. . . Debbie

Sunday, January 8, 2012

2nd House On The Left

Love, love , love the picture on my layout!  It's of my grandparents house in Berkley Springs, W VA.  I spent many wonderful times there.  It was my home away from home growing up.
I used my January kit from Artful Delight and the current sketch over at Sketch Inspiration
Play along with Sketch Inspiration for a chance to win Artful Delight's January kit.  Be sure check out the other members of Artful Delight's DT to see their interpretation of the sketch:

Life has been hectic for me the past week.  My mom ended up in the ICU on Friday. 
Please keep her in your prayers.
Thanks for stopping by!
. . . Debbie

Thursday, January 5, 2012

The Best Day

Brrrr, it's cold here!  
The last few days have brought chilly weather.  Temps in the low 20's, a few flurries, and toss in some wind.  It is suppose to warm up into the 50's by the weekend.
I've got a layout to share with you that I created using the January kit from Artful Delight.
Gotta love those old family pictures!  
I will admit that I have not worked much kraft paper and was a little intimidated with the My Minds Eye Kraft Funday papers included in the kit.  But all in all, I'm pleased with the end result.  
My layout is based on Artful Delight's January sketch, designed by DT member Abby.
Hope you have time to play along!  
The winner of the sketch challenge will win Artful Delight's February kit.
Thanks for stopping by!
. . . Debbie

Sunday, January 1, 2012

Happy New Years!!

A new year and a new me . . . 
I thought long and hard last night about my resolutions and decided that some changes are in order.  The year 2011 was a tough year for me, one which really pulled me down.  I'm glad it's behind me and I look forward to 2012 with two words in mind . . .
Take one day at a time, enjoy the moment and smile!  
Life is too short and time passes so quickly.
Somethings I can control and some I can not.
Those that I can't control, I will not let consume me.
I hope that everyone enjoyed the holidays and celebrated the New Year with family and friends.
The first of the month means the kit  and sketch reveal for Artful Delight.  You are gonna love January's kit!  It's packed with Studio Calico, Jillibean Soup and My Minds Eye.
Scrapbook Kit:
Card kit:

The kits are selling fast.  There is only one scrapbook kit left and two card kits.  You can check out the contents of both kits here.
For those of you who are looking for a bargain, some of the past kits are marked down.  Check out Artful Delight's post here.
This month's sketch was designed by DT member Abby:
Play along for a chance to win the February kit!
I'll be sharing my layout using the sketch with you in a couple of days.
  As always, thanks for stopping by!
. . . Debbie