Non-traditional colors for a baby book {welcome to my new niece}

Hi Crafters,

When I saw this patterned paper pack from Stamin Up! I knew it would be perfect for my niece that was due to arrive shortly. I mixed in some of the coredinations coordinating cardstock too. These are not your traditional baby colors but they are so fun and bright!

I used the print then cut feature on the explore for the rectangles here. It was super easy to get them sized and ready to go in the book!

Most of the picture mats are sized for 4x6 and 4x4 pictures (they are 4.5x4.5 and 4.5x6.5)

I included some project life cards to help document the first year of her life.

I used my cuttlebug and a bit of washi tape to accent this page.

I also included a 5x7 on this page.

This paper is DCWV

I secured the twine with tape on the back of the page

Here are the links to the files I used to create the book

File 1- intro, seasons, playtime, its a girl, family, birthday

File 2- First christmas. The firsts with the banner unfortunately didn't save. This has a different version I have used in previous books.

Thanks for stopping by,

Who is in {Labor} Day Cut it Up Challenge: Babies

Hi Crafters,

This week over at Cut it Up! we are celebrating Labor Day with new arrivals! My sister is expecting a little boy in November so I created a scrapbook for him to document his first year.

I used New Arrival for the intro page. I outline the letters with marker and cut white rectangles to size for the information.

"It's a Boy"is also cut with New Arrival and "Family is from Gypsy Wonderings. I think this elephant paper is adorable, most of the patterned paper in this book is from DCWV Boys will be Boys stack. 

The title for this page is from B is for Boy cricut cartridge. I cut the light green circle from Mini Monograms.

This page has 8.5x11 chevron paper that has been stitched on my sewing machine. The Moments title is from Gyspy Wondering

 The sentiment is from Stretch Your Imagination and the snow flake is outlined with makers and cut from A Child's Year.

 This is my favorite layout! I love all the bright colors and spring patterns. Spring is also from Stretch Your Imagination.

Do you recognize this layout? Check out the details from my previous post

 Autumn is also from Stretch Your Imagination.

I included a place for my sister to document the milestones. I cut tags from George and Basic Shapes and Tags Bags Boxes and More.  The letters are from Don Juan.

 Would you like a chance to win a great prize? This challenge is sponsored by http://www.toocutebyjessica.com/ please link up your fabulous baby project over at Cut it Up for a chance to win. 

What's {bugging} You? Cut it Up Challenges

Hi Crafters,

We are wrapping up summertime over at Cut it Up! The next challenge is "What's Bugging You?" incorporate a bug into your project!

I created a summertime double layout for this challenge.

We have 2 wonderful sponsors for those participating in the challenge...

KaDoodleBug Designs

Eyelet Outlet

Has provided a goody bag with some fun brads for one lucky winner! 

The background paper is DCWV glitter stack.  The bugs and sentiment are from the Stretch Your Imagination cartridge. I embossed the caterpillar and summer sentiment with my cuttlebug.

The rick-rack is from Teresa Collin's Elegence cartridge.  I sewed the 4x6 photomats around the edge with a simple straight stitch.  

Be sure to head over to Cut it Up! to check out the design team projects and link up your project!

Happy crafting,

:Alligator Baby Shower Full Review:

Hi Crafters,
Here's an update from the shower this past weekend.  We had a great time! It's always lovely to see the co-worker fam outside of school.

We did the food on the island.  A few of the highlights were a cheese ball, BLT bites, and spinach/artichoke dip.

I made little alligator tents to label the food. Here's a snap shot of the dessert bar.  This alligator is the same one from the invites and came from Create a Critter.

We had cupcakes, lemon cake, s'more dippers, and brownies.  I made the chandelier decorations with Mini-monograms and New Arrival.

The diaper cake used mini monograms, new arrival, and opposites attract for the accents.

The banner pieces came from Teresa Collin's Chic and Scary.  I custom cut the white strips with an exacto knife.  The font is from Opposites attract and outlined with the markers.

I used blue tulle as the string to hold everything together.

 Here's the whole shot of her gift.  Burp cloths, name canvas, and memory book (below). "Drew" is cut out with a shadow and regular font from Designer Calendar.  The canvas measures 8x23.

The mom-to-be is also a crafter so instead of making her a scrapbook I came up with this memory record book.  Each page has a monthly calendar and a space for notes on the opposite page

I used my bind it all to bind everything together.  She seemed to really enjoy the shower.  Baby Drew got a lot of great goodies!  Can't wait to meet him!

Happy Crafting,

Hats and Mustache Layout

Hi Crafters,

I just finished my niece's "baby through two" book.  I wrapped it up with her 2nd birthday party.

I used accents from the invites on the opposite page.  The mustache and hat are from Paper Doll Dress Up.  The font is Don Juan.

Thanks for stopping by,

Summer Layouts

Hi Crafters,

Here are a few more layouts from my weekend.  I had a bit of catching up to do!

The artist is from Printing Press.  I actually found this scrap with a star already cutout and ended up liking how it worked with the layout.  The bucket, shovel, and text on the next layout are from Life's a Beach

This next layout uses text from Opposites Attract.  I welded the letters with the gypsy.  I used my xyron to put the ribbon and rick-rack through.  Don't worry about the chocolate spatula licking, her aunt is feeding her GrandMary's fudge (no raw eggs).

Happy Crafting,

Trouble Folded 3 page layout

Hi Crafters,

I saw this technique from a fellow scrapper who regularly comes to the semi-annual scrap retreat I go on.  She needed a bit more space for a layout so she put a fold on the end of a page to attach another page.
I started out with the green Trouble layout from a few months ago.  I had 2 more pages of my lovely niece getting into some mischief so I decided to combine them.

I cut the brown paper at 8x11.  I then scored the 11 inch side at 8 inches with my Martha Stewart scoreboard.  That left me with a 3 inch flap, which I glued down to the scrapbook prior to putting on the blue polka dotted paper.  I then covered the flap with the blue paper and covered the inside of the brown paper with matching blue paper cut at 8x8.

The font is Designer Calendar and welded with the gyspy.  The arrow and speech bubble are from Don Juan.

I'm really happy with how these layouts turned out.

Thanks for stopping by,

Baby Book Fall Layouts

Hi Crafters,

I worked on my nieces baby album some this weekend.  Shutterfly has been sending out free print deals left and right so I was able to stock up on pictures.  I know she is more of a toddler now but I decided to add on to her baby book.

Here are a few layouts I came up with.

I made this layout with Teresa Collin's Chic and Scary.  I embossed the circles (cut at 1.25 inches) with a halloween embossing folder and rubbed them on a watermarking embossing ink pad.  Isn't she the cutest cat you've ever seen?

I made this Autumn layout using the Gypsy Wonderings cartridge for the pumpkin boarder.  Autumn came from Stretch Your Imagination.  I love the picture of her squealing with delight in her swing.

Check back tomorrow for a few more layouts!

Happy Crafting,