Weekly roundup :) (LONG)

I have to admit, there's times when I just get too busy to blog and so this catchup is for the fam....Mother's Day was spent chillaxing and I REALLY mean chillaxing! The Queen has never been a DIYer so I finally jumped on the bandwagon.... I had spent two days prior to Mothers Day cleaning, degreasing and staining my kitchen cabinets (since our house is starting to age and I haven't won the Powerball yet), easy sewing of some new kitchen curtains (first sewing project ever since my machine was bought for sewing on paper LOL-they did come out crooked but not TOO crooked) and Thing 3's bathroom re-do...it needed some TLC (paint, curtains, etc)...so, by the time mom's day came around, I was exhausted!  I spent the day doing absolutely nothing and that included NOT getting dressed or combing hair :

cleaned my scrapbook room up a bit but not much creating!!

BEST GIFT: good to know he thinks those sweet things about me :) I'm doing something right :)

Thing 1 was at a sleepover, so Thing 2 fixed me breakfast in bed, so pancakes it was (even though I detest pancakes (and waffles too) BUT there are times when I just gotta eat em ) and I watched my favorite episodes of Property Brothers (my strange addiction to those twins).....

Then, Thing 2 and I went on our own Field Trip to Washington DC yesterday-his class was going to Orioles Park for Weather Day and I just didn't think he was gonna get too much outta being in a crowd of thousands & all the feedback noise so we did our own thing...caught the metro and went to the Air & Space Museum in DC...a more laid back and boring kinda museum but still fun for us!  The day started off cool & humid and a bit cloudy but by the time we got to the museum, it was warm & sunny!  We got to check out some cool stuff, eat lunch and walk around DC before heading back -he was excited about catching the metro too!

 

One of my favorite pics of the day:

Throwback Thursday! POTD

I actually like FLASHBACK FRIDAY, but my daughter thinks THROWBACK THURSDAY is cooler so....

my little dancer wannabee......age 3  :):)

stash busting!

In anticipation of the Heidi Sonboul goodies  (you do know she has a new blog and some new awesome collections right??) that are coming my way (say winner winner chicken dinner), I am on a stash busting mission!  So, the LOTD are all just for me along with a few challenges I posted over at Two Peas JFF (Just for fun):

weekend catchup & my May Counterfeits are up!

On this super Saturday, I was getting it done....spring cleaning &  I tackled staining my own kitchen cabinets and I gotta say, they came out pretty good!  Who knew Zep degreaser worked so well?? !! Used the whole container...but it was worth it....Then I did my own version of sewing my own kitchen curtains-that means I did not use a pattern, I simply looked at the old ones and sewed the same lines....no measuring cause that ain't my thang....I was a tad bit wonky on one side but it's good enough for now....pictures once cabinets are dry!

But, back to the Counterfeits...   Yup, I said COUNTERFEITS, with an "S"...  this month, the divas over at  the Counterfeit Kit Challenge Blog (CKCB) have used  Polly ScrapKits! as their inspiration !
Their March SHORELINE kit:

I was inspired by the summery/beachy feel but knew I didn't have those papers unfortunately so I made do...

My kit:   black cardstock, patterned papers, red polka dot paper, gold cardstock and gold print papers, Thickers and OA and other alphas, MME buttons, SC gems, twine, washi, Tim Holtz bag, chalkboard printables (will link back, give more detail  and credit once I start using the kit).... loved their bags and wish I had those but may make my own!

and they took it one step more and counterfeited a second Polly Scraps kit:
THEIR March mini kit:

and here's my take on it:  I may add some BG in there once I find it :)

 

I'll give out my kit details & printable links once I start using them (which hopefully will be tomorrow)!

Aleida's Challenge # 3 LOTD

I admit it - April's picture didn't happen for a number of reasons...but  I just got a chance to scrap February's photo and True XOXO revealed this yesterday so I can officially reveal it here:

 

keep getting in front of the camera-your family will appreciate you for it!

and yep, that fabulous chipboard is from WOW (Words or Whatever) and it's a good thing they don't have them here at PhotoScraps cause it would be my new hoarder fascination!

I wanted the butterflies to look metal/metallic so I just used my handy dandy tool finger, dabbed some white shimmer acrylic  paint on them, let them dry...then I stamped them haphazardly with just a  script stamp and then I added little dribs and drabs of Plaid Accents on them and sprinkled teeny amounts of fine glitter on top while still wet.....VOILA!  Metallic looking!  Loved how sturdy and think this chip is...just gorgeous and wanted to thank Tess for sponsoring the DT and giving us a chance to work with this lovely product that comes all the way from Australia!


ps-fabulous silver ribbon is courtesy of SEI (via way of my OLF Angi )

Terrific Tuesday and continuing the month of WOW

As I stated earlier this week, the wonderful DT over at Words or Whatever gifted us gals over at  True XOXO some fabulous chipboard so, on this Terrific Tuesday, It's my turn to inspire you over at the TRUE BLOG !!  Here's a sneak but for my full reveal, head on over to TRUE XOXO right now!   Challenge # 46 is to design a layout with some chipboard!

• Every layout that you link up gets a ticket for the random drawing.
• If you happen to create with a piece from WOW, you get two  tickets.

That’s it – chip it and create some WOW! Link up with our Linky party over at TRUE XOXO

butterfly normally have antennae but I accidentally maimed it !

Did I mention that there are prizes to be won?  I didn't??!!  Oops, silly me!  There are prizes to be won over at TRUE and even here (surprise RAK of the month) but you gotta enter a project to win!!  I'll be showcasing another project before month end and will reveal a prize for one lucky winner later this week.......stay tuned :):)

Happy National Scrapbooking Day!

Hope it's got something crafty in it!  There's plenty going on all around the internet-PL projects, layout inspiration and challenges and even some blog hops if you have time!

Maggie Holmes Collection (Crate Paper)

I'll be over at this chick's house playing with paper, seeing some friends I haven't seen in awhile, and having some kinda happy hour....It IS Cinco De Mayo too after all so you may as well multitask!

More WOW for ya!

Words or Whatever has been gracious enough to sponsor the XOXO Scrapbooking Challenge # 46 this month. WOW has provided every team member with some gorgeous flexible chipboard pieces AND plenty for PRIZES, too!

our first reveal was the super talented WendyC who came up with a sweet girly layout :)

yeah, that's chipboard in there baby !!  For the full reveal click {HERE}

LOTD

Happy Friday everybody...hope you are filling the weekend with crafty endeavors !

I'll be hanging out with my bff tomorrow for our annual NSD/Cinco de Mayo crop.....yay! Now, to get packed :):)

TGIF! It's a WOW Weekend!!

It's National Scrapbooking Day weekend kickoff!  I'll be busy with gal pals & sports but promise to pop in & out with NSD happenings for ya!  I do want to kickoff this fabulous Friday by talking about Words or Whatever!  As many of you know, I am a permanent guest designer over at True XOXO (I was the 2nd psuedo owner of the blog awhile back so I stay on the board as a silent member LOL) and the super awesome Tess Pretty (love the name too : :) and the whole DT at WOW have been gracious enough to sponsor XoXo Scrapbooking this month.  WOW has provided every team member with some gorgeous flexible chipboard pieces with a anything goes theme so we could create goodies to inspire you!  

All month we will show you our takes on this fabulous chipboard....one of the reasons I loved it was because it is THICK, not flimsy so it can withstand some serious misting, painting and stamping!  I'm not up YET but here's a peek:

We have unveiled the super creativity of Kimmy J and Miae and trust me, you will L-O-V-E what they's done!  Sneaks cause you gotta click on each of the pictures to get transported to the land of TRUE awesomeness....

Did I mention that we have a contest (challenge) and it involves chipboard!  If you have WOW chipboard, you get an extra ticket, but if you don't, any chip will do....not only can you win a guest design team spot with us, but there will be a random drawing at the end of the month and there will be 5  winners!     CHALLENGE #46 starts {HERE}       Have a great Friday !

CKCB love ...wow, April is ending!

I gotta say that this month zipped by super fast!  And even though I only created 6 layouts with my April Counterfeit kit, I still call that a success!  Thank you to all the newbies and newbie followers who came over to my blog from CKCB; your comments and love were greatly appreciated and I had so much fun hopping to all the projects in the Mr. Linky party...well, not all YET since you overwhelmed us with your creativity (almost 140 links!!) - I'm somewhere around # 115 or so but trust me, I will keep going...... And thank you Counterfeit Kit Challenge divas for having me as the April Guest Designer, it was SUPER FUN!

and just fyi, that they posted a Design Team call from today until May 30th...jump here for all the requirements.....it is a fantastic way to inspire others and to use your existing stash!!

CKCB April Designer= ME!

If you are here for the April Counterfeit Kit Blog kit reveal, CLICK HERE !!

TGIF-Nothing but STICKERS Challenge! CKCB

WOW-we are challenging you in a major way this month aren't we?!  A sticker challenge!  My first thought was YUK! DOUBLE YUKK!! I've always thought that stickers look cheap and cheesy BUT.....after digging in my April kit, I has these super cute Basic Grey stickers and guess what??  They are not cheap or cheesy!

Basic Grey Hey You collection stickers

 So I thought and thought and here's what I came up with...and yes, I decided that washi tape is a "kind of sticker" :):)  and yup, I used a white background {GASP}  The cool "discover " word is Heidi Swapp.

what can YOU do with JUST stickers???  Link up to our APRIL Linky Party and show us!

Counterfeit Kit Blog Hop-you showed us!

 

If you will recall, earlier this month, the Counterfeit Kit Blog unveiled their guest designer for April (ME) AND we asked you to share your kits with us!  Well, one of our challenges  was a photo challenge and to showcase YOUR awesomeness, we've put together a blog hop (sorry I am  late-no excuses!) So, if you wanna see how one kit can inspire hundreds, here ya go!

HERE'S THE ORDER OF THE HOP!  HAVE FUN, BE INSPIRED AND LEAVE SOME L-O-V-E!

Lisa H     http://lisahausmann.blogspot.com 
Leslie      http://lcsmithsaved-outofthemire.blogspot.com/

Lesley     http://ohblogitifyoucantbeatthem.blogspot.co.uk/

Rebecca http://howiburb.blogspot.com/

Lisa E      http://lisae-design.blogspot.com

Candace  http://usthreebythesea.blogspot.co.uk/

Julie        http://spendlesscraftmore.blogspot.com.au

Jennifer   www.jennifergracecreates.com

Jemma    http://just-jimjams.blogspot.co.uk/
Glinda      http://razzledscrapper.blogspot.com/

"Just Because" layouts....

sometimes I do do those :):   These 2 are for the super sweet Lowri McNabb from Papervine , she knows why !!

LAYOUT # 1- ECHO PARK  "OH SNAP" MINI COLLECTION

ME AND MY TWIN SISTER :)  DINNER DATE 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LAYOUT # 2 - BASIC GREY

SNAIL MAIL! AND YES, HE IS  AMAZING !! 

** DONTCHA JUST LOVE THE "SNAIL MAIL" STAMP FROM THE BFF??!!!...SHE SAYS I USE THOSE WORDS !! SUPER CUTE!

Counterfeit catchup...FINALLY!

Man, forgive me...I was outta town and then this week has been crazy busy...but, last weekend, I got to getaway with some peeps to the Hobby House Retreat up in PA (I'll save that for another post) and so while my mojo wasn't totally at 100%, I did get about 15 layouts done (I talked entirely too much)- but before I went, I had done some layouts with my April Counterfeit Kit:  So here ya go, Layout # 4 !!

RAVENS CHEERERS!! ON OUR WAY TO THE SUPERBOWL!

Wordless Wednesday...kinda

It is during our darkest moments that we must focus to see the light.~Aristotle Onassis 

As this mother, wife, sister and dear friend grieves for a child lost to illness,  just know that HE was a light to many; his love and legacy will live on forever in the hearts of those he touched.  And to all my blog readers who were prayer warriors, thank you from the top and bottom of my heart.....her precious son has moved on to heaven, but we can keep praying for strength and healing for this family as their  journey continues in a different way.....N, we love you and hoped that today, your sistahs gave you an ounce of strength...I know I speak for all of us when I say that we truly have never felt more helpless but if there's anything we can do, we will do it......

Meghann Andrew inspired...LOTD

It's Thankful Thursday and as always, I am thankful for good HEALTH...even more so this week as I have 2 friends who are in need of prayer for exactly that reason....one who recently lost a child after a unexpected  illness & lengthy hospitalization & for another  whose child is still going through medical treatments with the hopes of a positive outcome.....{Sigh}  But folks have been asking about this boy of mine, so here's an update
My Thing 2 was activated this week (his 2nd cochlear) and so far, it just has the robotic loud sounds, no voice recognition (it takes at least a year but could take YEARS of auditory rehab like the first one) and he is not happy!  For the first time ever, I have seen a grouchy, irritable child!  Poor thing!  BUT, that's why GOD gave me some outstanding therapists, educators and audiologists!  Our work is never done and so we keep working on my "mini masterpiece" and as long as he's healthy, that's all I can ask for-trust me, having a sick kid for almost 3 years was no walk in the park...  As I grumble driving to Johns Hopkins every Monday, I will keep reminding myself that I am there for a good reason and not a bad one :):)  My mantra: Lemonade not lemons!

and it's fitting that the Layout Of The Day is a scraplift....well, not exactly a scraplift, let's say I was scrap "inspired" by the talented Meghann Andrew of Meghann's Little Corner...

I'm JUST catching up on my December 2012 issue of Scrapbook Trends magazine (don't judge, I get busy and forget to read em) and my eye spied her "Meeting Giada" layout....#1 cause I'm a foodie and I'd know Giada anywhere and #2 I loved the verticalness (not a word, I know) of the photo, journaling and papers.  Also loved the washi and the pennant thingees.  So, since we are praising the hard work of Thing 2 today, here is my "lift:" 

Heidi Swapp* Shelly H Flair button, Prima bling goodness !! Washi tape came from Michael's (Recollections)

No Title cause ya'll know I struggle with them!

It's a Sticker Sunday!

The Counterfeit Kit Challenge #2 is up! And it IS a challenge...That's right....STICKERS!  Those things we all have in our stash that some of us are hesitant to use more often!  So, this weeks challenge is to use em up! 
Challenge #2: Sticker Challenge: Use NOTHING but stickers as embellishments on your project! I was super busy this weekend (and just filed my taxes) but as the Guest Designer, I gotta jump in on this challenge! I will have my layout done for you later this week....but for now, some inspiration for ya to kickstart your creativity!

don't forget to link up to our Linky party {here}!

I'm still Counterfeiting -Layout # 3

It's been a busy and challenging week but I had some time to play with my kit for a bit last Saturday...mojo was totally gone so I put the disclaimer here that I 'm not that happy with this one and I might just re-do it tonight...I just was having trouble getting a layout design in my head and pulling out a sketch just wasn't doing the trick. It's like that sometimes I guess.

ps-we have almost 60 links in our Linky party...still waiting for you and your kit ya know!  You still have time to play with us over at Counterfeit Kit Challenge!  We posted some great tutorials this week (think elephants and more) AND don't forget I'm still April's guest designer!!!

Scrapbook Trends WIINNER!

I apologize, I was away all day yesterday without a laptop (translation=at a crop) and I forgot to post the winner when I got home....the winner of the 2 SBT mags is....CINDY D!  Send me your snail mail to:  bluequeen4@hotmail.com  ASAP and I'll get these out to you this week! 

*Just a reminder that I do RAKs once a month so....spread the word and we'll keep being crafty!

SOC Week #16 Challenge LOTD

Anything goes for the Scrappers of Color challenge # 16!  The bff  CK gifted me some Teresa Collins papers and embells, and my online pal Angi gifted me those fabulous jewels so I went back to my favorite black cardstock for a quick and easy LO!  Me and Thing 3 hanging out with friends :)