Year in Review 2006

Wow, now this page was a challenge!

I have never before placed so many photos on one page... and I still included journaling! This was not an easy project. But, I did it, and now I want to do one for last year as well, which will be another challenge, lol.


Journaling:
Special points of interest: In March we visited Grandma and Grandpa in Green Valley, Arizona. In September and October we visited Mimi and Papa in New York. During this trip we also visited in New York: Niagara Falls, Manhattan and Mimi’s house. We also took side trips to Plymouth, Massachusetts and Cape Cod. On our way home to Mimi’s house we spent the day in Mystic, Connecticut. We also toured Washington D.C, for a few days and then checked out Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. While on the East Coast we spent several days at Star Lake Conference Center in New Jersey for the Gaines family reunion and Mimi and Papa’s retirement party.

Rachel’s milestones: During 2006 Rachel learned to crawl and walk. She went from bottles to sippy cups and from being fed to feeding herself. Rachel celebrated her first birthday in May with a wild animal theme. This was also the year when Rachel began to talk, and she has a huge vocabulary for her nineteen month age at the end of 2006.

Elizabeth’s milestones: During 2006 Elizabeth began first grade, which included her first time spending entire days away from home and riding the school bus. Elizabeth went to her first slumber party, roller skated, ice skated, played soccer, and grew before our eyes. Elizabeth turned seven years old and celebrated with an art themed birthday party. This is also the year that Elizabeth cut her hair.

Other News: During 2006 our family pet, Zoe passed away. A few months later Elizabeth picked out a new dog from the Humane Society and we chose the name Lola for our newest family member. In July Shaun and Alissa celebrated their fourteen year anniversary. For Halloween Elizabeth dressed as a ‘rock star’ and Rachel dressed as an ‘Indian princess’. As a family we spent many afternoons in our backyard; we sat around the fire pit, made s’mores, climbed on the play structure, played in the fairy garden and ran wild among the plants shooting each other with water guns. 2006 was a fun year.



















Credits:
Michelle Coleman: Serendipity papers, paint brush and stamped alpha.
Katie Pertiet: Curled photo frame.

I hate being sick.

I have been sick for a week now. Not only me, but both of my girls too. We've had fevers and a terrible cold on top of it with coughing. So, I haven't been feeling too creative lately, lol. But I was inspired today when I scrapped the Beach layout posted below, and I am actually quite happy with the result.

It uses Tracey Monette's new paper pack, colorful marble, and I love the veins which give it quite a bit of texture.

Are you ready for Christmas?

Normally by now I have everything not only purchased, but wrapped. This year I am way behind on my Christmas duties. I blame illness. Oh well, I guess I'll catch up over the weekend. Definitely by Sunday night, lol.

Happy holidays everybody!

Beach

a northwest beach.

Journaling:
Every summer you go with Dad on a business trip down the Oregon Coast. During this trip you always make several stops at the beach to play in the windy sunshine. These quick stops at various beaches are filled with running, exploring and lots of sand. 8.22.2005.


















Credits:
Tracey Gilbert Monette (SBE): background paper (colorful marbles, available on Sunday) blended with the green Funky Flower paper to change the marble veins from black to green, dotted ribbons.
Linda GB: mesh, cardboard (Ophelia).
Natalie Braxton: thingz on stringz.
Jen Wilson: fleur squiggle.
Miss Mint: tin foil stars.
Sausan Designs: pressed leaves.
Kim Christensen: acrylic alpha.
Nancie Rowe Janitz: schmootzy frame.

First Bubbles

Journaling:
It took three months of concentrated effort, but you finally got it. You can now blow bubbles! March 2006.

















Credits:
New fun Modern Art kit by Tracey Gilbert Monette (Clever Monkey Graphics) available Sunday at Scrapbook-Elements. Messy Deckled Matte by Tracey Gilbert Monette. Painted Notebook Alpha by Tracey Gilbert Monette. Miss Mint’s vintage mix stamped alpha. Stamped frames by Rhonna on the designing with digital cd.

Sisters 1942

This is my Mom and her sister (her name is my middle name) in 1942. My Mom is on the left, she was two years old. The writing on the lo is my grandmother’s handwriting from the back of the photo.














These pretty papers are from Iron Orchid Designs’ latest paper pack, called ‘All her own’ at ScrapArtist. The chipped enamel alpha is also by IOD. The paper clip & staple are from the IOD essentials pack. The deckled frame is by Katie Pertiet and the pressed flowers are by Sausan Designs and lace is from LindaGB.

Beautiful

Last night at dinner I decided I had to add this journaling because my sweet and pretty little girl is such a contradiction, lol.

Journaling:
My beautiful little girl. At 19-months old, you are a beauty who loves to spit. Spit, spit, spit: one of your favorite activities.

















Credits:
This is the new collaboration kit by Corina Nielsen and Vera Lim called So Beautifully You. Folded ribbon and staples by Corina Nielsen, paint stroke by Nancie Rowe Janitz, stamped alpha by Katie Pertiet, pressed flowers by Sausan Designs. Everything else is from the Collaboration kit (FPD).

What's your Grinch name?

Mine is:
Woefulmonster Snottyshorts

Click here to find your Grinch name.

Washington Monument

Journaling:
Elizabeth, you are so full of personality. During our visit to Washington D.C. you kept everything interesting with your observations, your questions, your ability to make friends anywhere with anyone, and your fun sense of humor. You certainly were entertaining at the Washington Monument, where you gave me my favorite photo of our vacation, pretending you were scared Daddy was going to push the Washington Monument over on top of you. Your sense of humor is definitely one of the many things we love about you.











Credits:
Background paper: Gina Cabrerra. Orange paper: michelle underwood Stripe paper: LBA. School paper: Holly McCaig. Plume by Ana Aspnes covered in school paper. Brush circle: MST. Stamped alpha: Michelle Coleman.

Color

You live life in full color.

Journaling:
Elizabeth, you have been asking me if you could have pink hair since you were five years old. I have always answered you the same way though, ‘When you are a teenager we can talk about it.’ So this year for Halloween I decided to give you a treat, and we colored your hair. You couldn’t have been happier with the result and you made the cutest ‘rock star’ ever.

Now, if you still want pink hair when you are a teenager, we’ll discuss it. But the deal is, if you have pink hair, then you have to wear my doc martens as well… you know, those boots I have that you think are the ugliest things you have ever seen? Yeah, if you’re going to have pink hair, then you have to wear my docs. End of discussion. Well, sort of… we will still need to convince Daddy that pink hair could be cool for more than Halloween. Age 7; 10/31/06.

















Credits:
Funky Flower kit by Tracey Gilbert Monette. The painted notebook alpha also by Tracey Gilbert Monette (Clever Monkey Graphics). The messy deckle edge will be available on Sunday, also by Tracey Gilbert Monette at Scrapbook-Elements. The gingham ribbons by Amy Martin. Paint by Meredith Fenwick.

Zoo Dates

Journaling:
April 2007. Daddy always finds time to take you to the zoo. Animals are a shared love between the three of you.


















Credits:
Embellished Polaroid frames: ‘My guy snapsthots’ by Corina Nielsen.
Note papers: ‘Dooley Noted’ by Corina Nielsen.
Background paper: Tuscan Villa by Corina Nielsen.
Mesh: Arsenal #2 and staple: Arsenal #1 by Corina Nielsen.
Pressed leaves: Sausan Designs (This particular use of the leaves was inspired by Christinas’s ‘Nature’ layout.)
Stamped Alpha: Michelle Coleman.

First Christmas

It was your first Christmas, and you opened your own gifts using any means possible. December 25, 2005
















This is the IOD Christmas kit available only to gold members at digitalkshop. The tag is from IOD’s essentials kit. Anna Aspnes: tape corner, plumes (recovered in IOD). Miss Mint: stamped alpha. SMD: paint strokes.

First Pets

We were really pleased that our congresswoman’s office was able to arrange for us to visit the Whitehouse when we were in D.C. last October. Well, it turns out that the tour was a bit dry and we weren’t allowed to bring the camera in, but we made the most of it. So where does the journaling come from? Well, Elizabeth brought home a book from the library about first pets, and some of it was too funny not to include in a layout about the Whitehouse.

“What we didn’t learn on our Whitehouse tour.

Thomas Jefferson (1801-1809): In 1807 the President received as a gift, two grizzly bears which lived in cages on the lawn, which became known as “Jefferson’s bear garden”.

John Quincy Adams (1825-1829): This president received an alligator as a gift, so he took it back with him to Washington. The alligator lived in a bathtub in the East Room for months.

Abraham Lincoln (1861-1865): President Lincoln’s son Tad had two goats which were given the freedom of the White House, including occasionally sleeping in Tad’s bed. One year for Christmas Tad grew attached to the turkey there were to eat for dinner. So the President pardoned the turkey, and Jack (the turkey) became part of the family.

Benjamin Harrison (1889-1893): This President gave his grandchildren a pet goat. They attached a cart to the goat to give the children a ride, but the goat made a run for it and the President chased the goat down Pennsylvania Avenue for several blocks before he caught them.

Woodrow Wilson (1913-1921): President Wilson purchased 13 sheep to replace the gardeners during World War I due to manpower shortage. The sheep not only kept the lawn trimmed, they ate all the bushes and flowers too!

Calvin Coolidge (1923-1929): Rebecca the raccoon started off as a menu item for Thanksgiving, but was rescued by President Coolidge. During his presidency, Coolidge received as gifts two lion cubs, a bobcat and a pygmy hippo named Billy.”

















Credits:
Michelle Coleman: background. Tracey Gilbert Monette: pony. Nancie Rowe Janitz: schmootzy alpha. Anna Aspnes: plume.

Elizabeth

Normally my husband is not the best photographer in the world. Really, he’s not. But every now and then he surprises me with a photo that I love, and this is one of them. He was standing on the top of a wall trying to get a photo of an Arizona sunset. The sunset photo didn’t turn out so good, but then he turned the camera onto Elizabeth and took this beautiful photo of our little girl. (March 2006)















Credits:
Background paper is a blending of IOD’s lemongrass paper, ScrapArtist’s kraft paper and Nancie Rowe Janitz’s Autumn Glory overlay. Frames by Katie Pertiet. Leaf and floral elements by Sausan Designs. Ribbon, and textured circle by Corina Nielsen (Tuscan Villa kit). Staple from IOD’s essentials kit.

Hanukkah

2005

Journaling:
Most of the important friendships I have had in my life have been with Jewish girls, so it only seems appropriate that your best friend is Jewish too. I’m so glad that you have a friend like Taylor where you can be buddies and still have very different backgrounds and beliefs. I hope you two have many years of friendship ahead of you; a friendship filled with both differences and likeness.















Credits:
Tracey Gilbert Monette (Clever Monkey Graphics): papers and elements from her Hanukkah kit now available at Scrapbook-Elements.
Katie Pertiet: pinned tag. Ashley Olson: flower. SMD: paint.

Concentrate

July 2005

Journaling:
You were nine weeks old and you concentrated so hard on that toy in front of you, until you couldn’t stand it any more and had to reach out and grab it. This was the beginning of your love affair with toys.















Credits:
ScrapArtist: papers from the ‘All American’ kit and the ‘Magic of Fall’ kit. Michelle Coleman: stamped alpha.
Amy Martin: folded ribbon, pinned ribbon.
Corina Nielsen: burlap flower, button.
Natalie Braxton: thinz on stringz (flowers).
Meredith Fenwick: paint brush.
Katie Pertiet: pinned tag.
Zftamp: stitching.

Two Babies

2 babies. A girl and her dog. Rachel and Lola, growing up together. November 2006.

In case you can’t tell, in the top photo Rachel is sharing her sippy cup. Next photo the two are snuggling. Bottom photo is of Rachel reading and Lola biting the book.
















Credits: Papers are from the ‘Bring it Lola’ paper kit by Lauren Reid. Crochet doily, flower and strip of paper in right corner by Sausan Designs. Paint by Nancie Rowe Janitz. Staples by IOD. Babies font by Miss Mint, covered in Lola paper.

Moving Sale

Tracey Gilbert Monette aka Clever Monkey Graphics is moving!

Beginning Sunday her designs will be available at Scrapbook-Elements, but for today only, all her designs are 50% off at Plain Digital Wrapper.

Go check them out! And then on Sunday go check out her new stuff at Scrapbook-Elements.

Santa

Santa, 2005

Here are my girls in their holiday sweaters last winter. Elizabeth was newly six years old and Rachel was just about 7 months old.

















These fun holiday papers & elements are from Corina Nielsen’s ‘Urban Holiday’ kit (Funky Playground). The staples are from her burlap shapes kit. The tin foil is from Miss Mint. The silver painted paper bag alpha is by Ashley Olson.

Little Miss Outdoors

May you always love being outdoors. Rachel, June 10, 2005.

You were a very easy going baby. But during those few times when you were fussy, the only solution was to take you outside for a walk around the backyard. Even then you loved being outdoors.

















Credits:
Corina Nielsen: papers and paper strips from the ‘breeze’ paper pack. Buckle with ribbon from ‘cool buckles’. All available at Funky Playground Designs.

Gina Miller: stitching. Amy Martin: ribbon. Ashley Oslon: flower. Miss Mint: tin foil. Jen Wilson: journaling tag. Michelle Coleman: stamped alpha

Sledding on Mt. Hood

This page doesn’t really need journaling, because Elizabeth’s facial expression tells the whole story, lol.

















This great template (quickest page I’ve ever done!) by Corina Nielsen is at Funky Playground. As is these fun papers (My Princess) and the felt flowers and that new cool clip (cute clippys). The thingz on stringz is by Natalie Braxton (on her blog). Top alpha by Miss Mint, lower alpha by Michelle Coleman. Thanks for looking!

Sweet

Sweet Baby Girl

Just a sweet photo of Rachel as she was learning to crawl last winter.

















All papers by Lucrecer Braxton (oScraps): filled with joy pack and so much cheer pack. Paint strokes by Nancie Rowe Janitz. Plumes by Anna Aspnes. Ribbons by Amy Martin. Flowers on string by Natalie Braxton. Tag by Katie Pertiet. Alpha by Jackie Eckles. Photo corner by Corina Nielsen.

First Paper Pages

So I never expected to find myself a scrapbooker. I didn't like any of the pages I had seen, and had firmly stated you wouldn't find me doing that ... stuff.

Then I saw my friend Tracey's pages, and they were a style I had never seen before. They were cool. So I decided to scrap. Its funny too, because Tracey is the one that introduced me to digi scrapping as well, lol.

Well anyway, here are what my first paper pages looked like. And no, they didn't look anything like Tracey's pages looked, lol.

(I did more 2 page layouts, but didn't feel like scanning them in, lol. Also, my apologies for the sloppy scanning job.)

Most Recent Paper Pages

I haven't done many paper pages since I started digi scrapping, but here is what my most recent page looks like.

First Digi Pages

As long as I'm sharing my first paper layouts, I might as well share my first digi pages too. Made with a freebie kit from Shabby Princess.

My obit.

Ever wonder what your obituary will say? Here's what mine will say, apparently...

'What" will your obituary say?' at QuizGalaxy.com

Santa Claus

Santa Claus & Elizabeth

December 2005: When Shaun took Elizabeth Christmas shopping for me they stopped by to see Santa. Of course, this wasn’t the official Santa visit with her sister, so she got to see him twice last year. The journaling says, “Does visiting Santa twice mean you get more toys?” (Which I think is a very good question…)

















This is a fun new kit called ‘Little Lady Holiday’ by Corina Nielsen available at Funky Playground Designs. Except the larger hanging snowflakes, which are in a new element pack called ‘Ribbon Flakes’, also by Corina and available at FPD. (the smaller flakes are in the Little Lady kit. I love the papers in this kit, it was like she made it just to match Elizabeth’s dress, lol. The staples are from Corina’s ‘Burlap’ shapes element pack. The stamped alpha is by Katie Pertiet, except for the ‘z’ and ‘&’ which are by Miss Mint.

Oregon Zoo

I managed to catch this photo of my dad, Rachel and the sea lion right before a crowd of school kids ran to the window.

Journaling:
Rachel, you loved spending the day at the zoo with Papa. Of course it wasn’t just the two of you. Mom, Dad, Mimi, Elizabeth and even Auntie Aimee spent the day with you at the zoo as well. But Papa was all about you on this trip to the zoo.

Rachel, 13 months. June 2006.

















Credits:
This is a new template (just slightly modified) by Corina Nielsen, which will be available in the near future at Funky Playground Designs. The ribbon heart with sequins is from Corina’s ‘Free Your Heart’ at the Digi Shoppe.

Tracey Gilbert Monette (clever monkey graphics) at PDW.
From the ‘beachcomber’ kit: background paper, tag.
From the ‘sea blue gerbera’ kit: the sparkly blue and black papers.
From ‘don’t be so negative’, the ‘r’.
The ‘zoo’ is from the painted notebook alpha.
The blue flower is not yet available
Jen Wilson: frame, glitter heart.

Snow Days

A photo of me ice skating when I was little. I’m thinking I was about 5 years old, but I’ll check with my Mom prior to printing.

Journaling:
Living in Alaska was such a treat as a child. We spent as much time outdoors as possible. During the summer I remember being so upset that I couldn’t stay up late and play ball outside with the rest of the neighborhood kids while the sun shined late into the night. But during the winter we enjoyed the snow and ice as much as we could. We even tried to build igloos in the front yard one time. We weren’t very successful, but we had so much fun trying.

I remember one day when my grandparents were visiting, I tried to walk through the yard to get to my grandpa. Unfortunately, the snow was too deep and I got stuck up to my waist. Fortunately, Grandpa was close by for a quick rescue.

I also remember one of the most fun activities of winter was when they pushed the snow from the street to the curb; we would get these huge mountains of snow that we spent hours climbing and playing on. We had such fun playing in the snow.

Another great memory was going ice skating. At that point in time I don’t think there was anything more thrilling than sliding across the ice on an outdoor rink with the cold air blowing across your face. Giving me and my brothers and sisters a love for ice skating.

Four years after moving to Anchorage my parents were transferred and we moved to Phoenix. Alaska and Arizona didn’t have many similarities, but we were still together, and we made many more fun memories in our new home. Although I was very young when we lived in Anchorage, I will always treasure the memories I have, and I will never forget the beauty that exists in Alaska.















Credits:
Everything used here (except stitching and title alpha) is from the new collaborative kit by Corina Nielsen and Kimberly Giarrusso called ‘Little Man Holiday’ which is available at Funky Playground Designs. The stitching is by Katie Pertiet and the stamped alpha by Michelle Coleman and the inking is from Nancie Rowe Janitz.

I am having a ball being a guest on Corina Nielsen's creative team this month. Her kits are fun to work with. And keep your eyes open for all the Christmas kits coming out too. (Of course you know she is available at the Digi Shoppe. But you may or may not have knows she will also be available at Funky Playground Designs when it opens in the very near future.)

Just last week I didn't own any Christmas kits, and now I have several! Good thing I have only ever scrapped one of Elizabeth's 7 Christmases, lol.

And time to start making Christmas cards too!

Seems like school just barely started and next week is Thanksgiving already!

Crazy, crazy.

Super Model

Super Model (in training)

This photo of Rachel just cracks me up the way she is posed against the refrigerator.

















This new template (very slightly modified) is by Corina Nielsen and will be available at FPD (Funky Playground Designs) real soon! All of the papers are also by Corina (Hot Toolbelt) and are currently available at the Digi Shoppe. The staple and tag (recolored) also by Corina. The stars are by Miss Mint, the paint by Nancie Rowe Janitz, the frame and glitter heart by Jen Wilson, the stamped alpha by Jackie Eckles.

Playing in the Slush

This is Elizabeth playing in the snow last December. Excuse me, not the snow, but the slush, lol.
















This is a really fun new kit by Corina Nielsen called ‘My Princess’ which will be available soon at Funky Playground Designs. All of the papers and elements are from this new kit except: purple flower (recolored) is from Corina’s ‘funky bunch’ and the sequins were extracted from her ‘free your heart’ element pack. Stamped alpha is Michelle Coleman.

Mini Golf Royalty

Rachel and her cousin posing with their golf clubs in front of the castle in the middle of a mini-golf game. Those crazy kids.

















Everything here is from Corina Nielsen’s new kit called ‘My Prince’ which will be available in the near future at funky playground designs. (Note: the castle is my photograph.)

One Year

Ok, I'm totally aware that I have been scrapping more photos of Elizabeth than Rachel lately. My only excuse is that I have so many more photos of Elizabeth, and so many of Rachel's photos are blurry because she won't hold still. LOL

Here is a cute photo of Rachel sitting on the kitchen floor when she was twelve months old.

















All these papers are from Corina Nielsen’s ‘Hot Toolbelt’ paper pack. The purple flower and flower chain is from Corina’s ‘Funky Bunch’ element pack and the felt flowers are from her ‘Felty Flowers 2’ pack. The burlap elements and staple are from Corina’s‘Burlap shapes’ pack; the buckle from her ‘Cool Buckles’ and the button from her ‘Cool Buttons’ element packs. The brushes are by Michelle Coleman and the stamped title is by Katie Pertiet.

Suburban Cowgirl

A couple photos of Elizabeth’s pony ride at a birthday party during July 2005.

















Papers are all from IOD’s paper pack ‘Little Miss Lola Britches’, including the cutout paisley. The staple and tag are from IOD’s essentials kit. Stitches are from Zftamp; denim elements are from Miss Mint; burlap elements are from Corina Nielsen; flower from MoJackson; Inking and suburban alpha from Nancie Rowe Janitz; cowgirl alpha from Michelle Coleman.

Lion King of New York

This is one of several funny moments from our vacation.

Journaling:
On your second trip to New York, when you were three years old, we took you to see the Lion King on Broadway. After that you fell in love with both the characters and the story while also associating them both with New York.

When you were six years old we took you back to New York for vacation, once again. Upon our arrival in the city we drove past Union Square on our way to Gramercy Park. As we drove by, you suddenly shouted, “Look! It’s the Lion King! He has a Lion King hat on!”

Indeed, there was a man walking along with a most interesting headdress. It wasn’t a Lion King hat though; it was just a homeless man with a creative sense of style. A style that included caution tape hanging down his back like a lion’s mane.

But Elizabeth, you are so observant, and we all agreed that we definitely saw the Lion King walking down the street in New York City.

















Credits:
Background paper by Sausan Designs. Tape frame by Jackie Eckles. Cardboard and duct tape elements by Miss Mint. Burlap elements by Corina Nielsen. Torn circle by Anna Aspnes. Paint brush and stamped alpha by Nancie Rowe Janitz.

Astounded

Astounded by your beauty inside and out.
















Papers are from Corina Nielsen’s new kit called ‘Return’. Also from that kit is the button, tag and leaf. The burlap elements and staples are from Corina’s ‘Burlap Shapes’ element pack. The overlay and brush stroke are from Nancie Rowe Janitz. The plume is by Anna Aspnes. The stamped alpha is by Jackie Eckles. The fringe template (in Corina’s paper) is by Kristy Ann Designs. The frame is by Katie Pertiet.

Big Bird

Big BIRD Attack!

Journaling:
During the summer of 2005 you accompanied Daddy on a business trip down the Oregon Coast. While on your little trip you made a few detours to keep your excitement going strong. While in Southern Oregon you and Daddy went to a ‘drive through’ wildlife preserve where you were able to get out of your car seat, hop in the front, and check out all kinds of interesting animals. At one point an ostrich came over to the car and started pecking, rather ferociously, at the window where you were sitting. This certainly made an impression on you, because the first thing you said to me when you arrived home from your trip was, “a really BIG bird attacked us!”


















Credits:
Lots of Corina Nielsen goodies here: all of the papers are from Corina’s cool ‘Lavender Field’ paper pack. The felt flowers are from Corina’s ‘felty flowers 2’. The burlap element & staple are from her ‘burlap shapes’ pack. The sequin tie was extracted from a ‘cool buckle’, also by Corina. The tin foil is from Miss Mint; title stamped alpha from Michelle Coleman; other stamped alpha from Katie Pertiet.

Little Miss Lola Britches

We got a new puppy last weekend. And thanks to IOD naming their most recent paper pack 'Little Miss Lola Britches', I had the name Lola stuck in my head.

We were going to call her Hazel, but since Elizabeth couldn't remember that one, we decided to call her Lola.

(she's lab/hound mix and 8 weeks old)

My Dreamer

This photo doesn’t have a story behind it, it’s blurry, and the lighting is bad, but I love it anyway. So here it is!
















All the papers in this are from the new paper pack ‘Little Miss Lola Britches’ by Iron Orchid Designs (IOD). All the stitching is from Zftamp. The blue edges and yellow cutouts are (IOD paper) from a Michelle Coleman template. The title is Schmootzy Alpha by Nancie Rowe Janitz.

Changing Seasons

Journaling:
You have a strong streak of determination inside you Elizabeth, and although you have always shown us that streak, it reached a peak at only 6 1/2 years old.

You recently won a battle of wills against Dad regarding the length of your hair, and now a new battle has begun. You want to use the name ‘Liz’ and Daddy doesn’t want you to change your name. Now I prefer Elizabeth too, but I know you and I know your determination. So on the first day of first grade I told your teacher that you had permission to use the name ‘Liz’, but I didn’t tell you or Daddy this. I just sat back and waited and watched.

The second week of school you started bringing home your work with the name ‘Liz’ on it, and I just silently smiled at your strength of will. Then on the day of your seventh birthday party, one of the mothers of your school friends called you ‘Liz’, and I realized that things were changing.

Later that day I asked you about it, and you grinned and said, “Yeah, and my teacher is finally calling me ‘Liz’ too!”

Changes happen so fast. But no matter the length of your hair or the name you choose to use, your Dad and I love you. And we both love your individuality, your strength and your determination.

















Credits:
I used Corina Nielsen’s cool new kit ‘Return’ (the Digi Shoppe). The only exceptions would be the burlap heart and staples come from Corina’s ‘Burlap Shapes’ element kit and the crochet flower come from her ‘Funky Bunch’ element pack. The paint strokes are by SMD.

Audra's Self-Portrait

My sister Audra did a quick self-portrait to show the kids at my daughter’s birthday party how to do a collage. Since I took photos of all the kids with their projects, I had to take one of her with hers too!


















Dark green paper is from ScrapArtist’s Magic of Fall. Light green torn paper is by Zftamp. Polka dot paper and staple is by IOD and the fringe template is by Kristy Ann Designs. Paint strokes by SMD. Frame by Nancie Rowe Janitz. Stamped alpha by Katie Pertiet. Feather is from the ScrapGirls’ Serendipity kit.

Little Artists

Elizabeth and a few of her friends during her recent (art theme) birthday party. They were all so funny; some dug right in and got all messy while others used only their finger tips or one hand. They were all so cute.


















The papers in this are from Lucrecer Braxton’s ‘So Much Cheer’ paper pack and the flower brush work is from Lucrecer’s ‘Big A Botanical’ brushes.

Burlap flowers by Corina Neilsen. Buttons by Jen Wilson. Brush marks by SMD. Little alpha by Katie Pertiet. Artist alpha by Miss Mint. Flower stem brushes are by Anna Aspnes.

After the Ride

I took this photo of Elizabeth and her cousin just as the roller coaster was coming to an end, and their facial expressions are just cracking me up.


















This cool paper is from Tracey Gilbert Monette’s new Carousel kit at PDW. I’ve blended two of her papers together for this effect. The ribbon and admission ticket are from the Carousel element pack. The ink blots are from Tracey's artist no. 1 kit. The duct tape shapes and cardboard star are from Miss Mint. The staple is by IOD. The paint strokes are by Nancie Rowe Janitz. The stamped alpha is by Michelle Coleman.

Updates

All my links for scrapping blogs, my gallery and digi scrapbooking sites have been updated!

Sale, sale, sale!

Tracey is having a coupon sale in her store!

Check her blog for the coupon code, I know you won't want to miss it.

Here store is here.

Two Peas Scraplift Challenge

A Smile for Mom
Rachel, June 2006.

Just a quick note to Rachel about how her smile melts my heart. She is twelve months old in this photo.

This layout is a lift of ‘Squirt’ by amesv for the Two Peas scraplift challenge.


















I used the Scrap Artist All American kit for the papers and elements. The stitching is from Zftamp. The funky stamped alpha is by Miss Mint. The fonts are Pea Sara Script and Pea Stacey Doodle.

Another Pumpkin Patch Layout!

Fir Point Pumpkin Patch, 2006
Elizabeth, age 6

Ok, I know there's a bit going on in this one, but I had fun putting it together. When I was done, I felt like my hands were covered in paint and glue, LOL. That's a good feeling!



















Papers are from Lucrecer Braxton’s ‘So Much Cheer’ paper pack, except for the orange which is from her ‘Thoughts of Fall’ paper pack. The brush work in the background is from Lucercer’s ‘Big A Patterns’ (#1), the brush work in the blue circle is from Lucrecer’s ‘Big A Patterns’ (#2).

Tin foil stars are by Miss Mint; burlap flower and button by Corina Neilsen; sequins by Tandika; paint strokes by Nancie Rowe Janitz; title alpha is Metro by Jackie Eckles; word art by Tracey Gilbert Monette.

Unique

Ok, check out this layout I saw by Jenna at DigiShopTalk.com. I had to share, because my Mom loves giraffes, and I have just never seen anything like it before. The layout is pretty cool too! See here for her credits.

Another 'Oogelie Boogelie' Layout

Cutest Pumpkin in the Patch

Rachel at the pumpkin patch (17 months old). She thoroughly enjoyed herself. She provided me with so much scrapping material, lol.


















Papers and pumpkin embelly are from IOD’s new Oogelie Boogelie kit, the staple from their essentials kit. IOD is available at ScrapArtist.

The ric rac is by Kim Christensen, the heart by Corina Neilsen, the paint splotch by Meredith fenwick, the plumes by Anna Aspnes, stamped alpha by Katie Pertiet.

October Pumpkin

And here is what I made using Tracey's October Pumpkin kit:

Pumpkin Head

Elizabeth in the pumpkin patch from 2001.


















These papers are from Tracey Gilbert Monette’s (Clever Monkey Graphics) new fun kit called October Pumpkin (PDW) as are the ribbons, overlay and the funky brad. The title alpha is by Michelle Coleman; the patterned brushes are by Lucrecer Braxton; the staples are by IOD, the chalked edges are by Nancie Rowe Janitz. The name and year alpha are by Katie Pertiet. Midnight color action on photo by Photo Blast.

Oogelie Boogelie

Here's my first layout using the new Oogelie Boogelie kit from IOD.

Tooky & Tarry

From Halloween 2001, my sweet Elizabeth walked around all night saying, "It's tooky and tarry!" She was so adorable


















Everything here is by Iron Orchid Desgins (IOD). The papers, embellishments and word art is from their new, really cool, Halloween kit called Oogelie Boogelie. And the inked edges and staple are from the IOD essentials kit.