One Last Christmas Card

Fresh Squeezed Stamps is having a challenge using an adorable Christmas digi. I couldn't resist and, to be honest, I'm still in the Christmas spirit!

Images are a little tricky for me so this really was a challenge. I am not big on coloring - I LOVE when other people do it, I just am not usually happy with my results. So, I had to get a little creative. I did color the wreath and bird in with my Spectrum markers. However for the house I used my blending chalks. I added holly to the birdie's wreath with Stickles and some white glitter finished off the snow-capped roof. The printed paper is from last year's Christmas line by Bo Bunny.

You can check out the challenge by going to the Fresh Squeezed Stamps blog. And, if you like my card, you can vote for it by clicking the "Like" button.

Thanks for reading and I hope you're enjoying your holidays as much as I am!

XOXO,

12 Days of Christmas with CutCardStock!

Hi folks! Today I am so excited to share a project I created for CutCardStock.com! In October I won the opportunity to be a guest designer for their Tricks and Treats series. They sent me an AMAZING assortment of their cardstock to work with. I was beyond happy to come back for their 12 Days of Christmas series. Please head over to their blog to see my project along with many other Christmas ideas.

Thanks for reading!

XOXO,

My December Daily

Hello crafters! As I shared previously, this year I am attempting a December Daily. December is my favorite month of the year so the idea of an entire project dedicated to it sounded like fun. However, I have already fallen behind. But I determined that this project was not going to stress me out and that it was for me, alone. So as long as I am having fun, then I will consider it a success!

I shared a page last week and today I have two more. As a recap, here are my first three pages.

I may not be sitting down to scrap on a daily basis, but I am taking at least a picture a day. I figure at some point I'll catch up. For the days when I am not doing anything "Christmasy" I have this list to help me out. I am using a Simple Stories Sn@p binder but have yet to make a cover.

So far I am really enjoying this project. It's low stress because it's about what is important to me and what I notice at Christmas. I hope I can keep it up!

Thanks for reading!

XOXO,

December Daily with Scrap it With a Song

Hi all!

Hope you are enjoying the holiday season! The Christmas music is cranked up at our house and the crafting is in full swing! I have a new project up for Scrap it With a Song. This week's challenge is "Step Into Christmas" by Elton John.

This year I am attempting to do a December Daily and this is my page for December 2nd. We made hot apple cider that night from a delicious recipe I found on Pinterest. I'm using a Snap binder by Simple Stories and inserting my own pages using scraps from my Christmas bag. I'll have more pages to share next week!

You can find this recipe for slow cooker apple cider at the Kitchen Treaty blog and I found the cute date labels as a FREE (yes, FREE!) printable. Thanks, CreativityPrompt!

Scrap it With a Song is also having a Design Team call for their next term! It really is a fun, relaxed team to be a part of. Check out the blog for more details.

Thanks for reading!

XOXO,

I'm Back...and I've got a Snowman Refridgerator!

Hello crafty world! November was an insanely crazy month for me. We unexpectedly had to move from a home we had just moved into at the the beginning of the year. I have learned that I HATE packing! Luckily we are blessed with some amazing friends and we were able to get it done quickly.

I've finally unpacked my crafty space and am ITCHING to get back into the swing of things. One month is a long time to go without crafting! I miss my pretty paper. Even though I am ready to get back into it, I'm also kind of overwhelmed. I don't know where to begin!

Today I started with a craft involving paper, although it's not the kind of craft I'm used to blogging about. The holidays are upon us and I've had so much fun decorating the new place.

It snowed in our kitchen today!

Looking forward to creating and sharing some new projects soon! I am seriously considering doing a December Daily. Anyone have any experience with making one?

Thanks for reading! So...what have I missed in the crafty world?

XOXO,

Halloween Pumpkin Wall Hanging for CutCardstock!

Howdy! Happy weekend! It's a beautiful morning here in Southern California. Some light drizzle and cool weather - love it! I am a part of a 2-day crop this weekend at Pages From the Heart and so far it is so fun! But boy do you need stamina to crop for two whole days! I'm off for day two in a bit but wanted to share a project first.

CutCardStock.com is an awesome source for envelopes and cards. Their paper quality is AMAZING. I entered a fall-themed challenge on their blog last month and was so surprised to have won 1st place! I was asked to be a guest designer for this month and here is what I created.

You can view some detailed pictures as well as see what supplies I used by heading over to the CutCardStock blog. Thanks to CutCardStock for allowing me to be a part of your blog today!

XOXO,

A Spellbound Halloween Layout

There is a new challenge up at Scrap it With a Song! This week's song is the classic "I Put a Spell on You" and this is my take on the song.

This picture has a very sweet story to it. I was participating in a Trunk or Treat event at the elementary school I was working at at the time. These two little girls really thought I was Snow White! They asked their mom, "How did Snow White get here from Disneyland? Doesn't she have to go back?" Seeing their excitement really warmed my heart. And I got to feel like a princess. Win-win!

You can see the challenge on the Scrap it With a Song blog. I also shared this with Pages With the Heart, who asked me to create with the "Black Widow" collection by We R.

Thanks for reading!

XOXO,

One More Halloween Card

Today I have my last Halloween card for the Pages From the Heart design team. I used the "Black Widow" collection by We R Memory Keepers. I put my Sew Ribbon to use to add some sparkly ribbon and punched some scalloped squares.

Thanks for looking!

XOXO,

Spooky Halloween Card

BOO!

Did I scare you?

Well this guy ain't scared! This is my third card for Pages From the Heart. I was given the "Black Widow" collection by We R Memory Keepers which has been a lot of fun to work with.

I used a stamp to make the witch hat and accented it with orange Stickles. I also punched the doily by using the new mini Lucky 8 punch, also by We R.

I still have one more card so stay tuned! Thanks for reading!

This card was made using a sketch from Sweet Stamp Shop.


XOXO,

"It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown!" Halloween Card

Hello there!

I have been on a Halloween kick these last two weeks. I think this is the first time that I have ever really scrapped anything for Halloween! No wonder I can't stop!

My design team assignment with Pages From the Heart for this month was to use the "Black Widow" collection by We R Memory Keepers. Today I have another card and it features a quote from one of my favorite movies ever, "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown."

I used my hexagon punch to use up some of my scraps. I pieced together the pumpkin by cutting three ovals and popping the center up with foam squares.

Thanks for reading!

I entered this card in the ScrapFit Step Class #9: Paper Piecing.



XOXO,

My First Try at a Fall Mantel

Happy fall everyone! I know it has officially been autumn for a while now but for us here in Southern California, we are just now getting our cooler weather. And I am so thankful for that!

In an attempt to conjure thoughts of cooler weather (it didn't work), I started working on our mantel as soon as the calendar said it was fall. Earlier this year we moved into a house with a beautiful fireplace. This is my first time living in a house with a mantel! After drooling over beautiful mantel pictures online over the last few years, I was excited to give it a try myself. So on an obscenely hot fall day, my roomie (a.k.a. partner in crime) and I started to piece this together...

I found that fabulous printable at Craftily Ever After. I put it in a frame I got at Dollar Tree and it worked perfectly. The topiary is a project I made last year. I found some pumpkins at Trader Joe's and my BFF found the beautiful garland and little owl (isn't he precious!).

I saw the idea for this wreath on Pinterest (of course) and am so happy with how it came out. You can see the tutorial and original inspiration at Craftaholics Anonymous. It took me half of the Emmy's to finish this guy and a couple of runs to JoAnns. And yes, I judge how long something takes to make by what I am watching on tv. Don't judge.

Thanks for reading!

XOXO,

Life is Good Down at the Fair

This year I decided to enter the scrapbooking competition at the LA County Fair. The fair runs during September but projects had to be turned in by June. So on a boiling hot day, husband and I trekked down to Pomona to drop off my beloved projects.

It was kind of creepy being on the empty fairground! I'm used to the hustle and bustle, as well as the delicious smell of deep-fried goodness.

The Twilight Zone

Waiting for the fair to open to see the results was AGONIZING! Husband was once again a good sport and faced the crowds with me on opening weekend. I entered 7 projects and.......

...they all placed! It was so exciting to see my work up there with all of the other amazing entries.

Have a happy weekend!

XOXO,

My Dark Side Harry Potter Layout

It's the first week of the month meaning it's my turn over at Scrap it With a Song. This week the challenge is "Dark Side" by Kelly Clarkson. I have to be honest here. When I saw the challenge, I had to YouTube the song because I didn't recognize it. Once I listened to it I realized what a powerful song it is.

This song is all about having a dark side. The video has very touching images. Once I had the song down, I struggled with what to make with it. The first thing that came to mind was my struggles with my career. I know many teachers struggle with this these days. However, I wasn't sure if I was ready to scrap such a difficult issue.

One night it hit me - I have never scrapped any of my Harry Potter movie premiere pictures! Since the books and movies are about dark times, I thought it would work. So that is what I went with.

My friend Angela was lucky and received tickets to a special pre-screening of the last installment of the Harry Potter films. Since she knows what a Potter-Head I am, she invited me! It was an amazing experience!

I've had this Harry Potter paper sitting in my stash for a year now. I was thrilled to finally pull it out. Along with the paper, I had also purchased some matching stickers. They didn't really stand out so I glued them to some chipboard (actually just some old cardboard from a cereal box!) and smeared Glossy Accents on them. I hand cut the wand and made a small sunburst. I outlined the letters in the title with a black pen to make them pop. I added some washi tape as a finishing touch.

If you're interested in this challenge, please visit Scrap it With a Song. I also found this awesome sketch over at The Sampler Kit Club!

XOXO,

Witchy Wishes Halloween Card

This year I could not WAIT for October to finally get here. We have had an insanely hot few months here in Southern California and I was so ready for apple cider, cozy scarves and cooler weather. Well, even though it's October, it was 100 degrees yesterday. So much for cooler weather!

Despite our extended summer, I still decided to break out the Halloween supplies. I made this card to help me get into the spirit.

This new collection is by We R Memory Keepers. I did some heat embossing when I stamped "Witchy" and the spider. Then I did some dry embossing using my Cuttlebug.

I also found the sketch on The Sampler Kit Club blog. I recently discovered this blog and they have the best sketches!

Thanks for reading! Hope you are enjoying REAL fall weather, wherever you are. As for me, looks like it's flip flops and tank tops for another week!

I am also entering this card in these embossing challenges:











XOXO,

True to My School Cheerleading Layout

I'm back today with a new layout for Scrap it With a Song! The latest challenge is the song "Be True to Your School" by The Beach Boys.

This summer my best friend and I embarked on a new journey together as high school cheer coaches. She and I met 16 years ago when we made the cheer squad in high school. Now we are back coaching the same squad together. It has been exhausting but also so much fun!

I was inspired by the song title and slightly changed it to "True to our School" since we were cheerleaders 16 years ago and now back as coaches.

To check out this challenge and the other challenges for this month, please head over to the Scrap it With a Song blog. You could be next month's guest designer!

I'm also linking this project up to ScrapFit's Workout #76: navy, gray, and white. Coincidence that these are the school colors?

Thanks for reading!

XOXO,

Back to School Rolodex Mini-Album

Welcome back! Today I have my last back to school project. This time instead of a teacher gift I have a mini-album for proud parents to display their children's school pictures. I made the album using a Rolodex.

You can read more about how I made this and also see the supply list over on the Pages From the Heart blog.

A special thanks to my friend Jenny and her precious son Mason for letting me use their pictures! Thanks guys!

XOXO,

Back to School Post-It Note Holder

Hi there! I'm back with another back to school project that your favorite teacher would definitely appreciate. This project is featured this week on the Pages From the Heart blog as well. This month I was given the new Authentique "Curiosity" collection to work with.

 

I used a sign holder I found at an office supply store to make the holder. You can read more about how I made this as well as see the supply list by heading over to the Pages From the Heart blog.

Thanks for reading! I'll be back later this week with my last back to school project.

XOXO,

Back to School Teacher Gifts!

Happy September! I love summer and this past summer was an absolute blast. But I am looking forward to cooler evenings, beautiful fall colors, and the upcoming holidays. As a teacher myself, September also means back to work/school. This month I'll be sharing a few school-related projects that I have been working on for both Scrap it With a Song and Pages From the Heart. First up: SIWAS!

This month's first challenge over at Scrap it With a Song is the classic "Teach Your Children" by Crosby, Stills, and Nash. I took the song and used it as inspiration for a gift that would be perfect for a teacher at any time of the year. And could easily hold a Starbucks gift card. I'm just sayin' (wink, wink).

I made this altered paint can using Authentique's "Curiosity" collection. This is a fun school-themed collection using colors that are not typical of school themed-collections. I think that is what makes it so fun to work with!

Please check out how this song inspired the rest of the Scrap it With a Song design team. If you feel inspired then please join in on this month's challenge.

Happy back to school and for those of you who haven't started yet, I'm very jealous.

I linked this project to:



I'm also linking to the CutCardStock.com fall-themed challenge!

XOXO,

500 Miles with Scrap it With a Song

Hi everyone! Scrap it With a Song has some new challenges this month. One of the challenges is the song "500 Miles" by the Proclaimers. I can't stop singing this song!

I decided to use another one of my favorite photos from the March For Babies walk I participated in earlier this year.

 

I used some of my Authentique scraps that I had. That's my favorite part about Smash books - I can use all those pretty little scraps that I can't bear to throw away! If you are interested in this or any of the Scrap it With a Song challenges (there's a new one every week!), please visit their blog for more information. Challenges run all month long so you have plenty of time!

Thanks for reading! 

XOXO,

Beach Card and Layout

My last two projects for the month are up on the Pages From the Heart blog this week. I was given the "Fresh" collection by Authentique and I love it! My favorite part of summer is going to the beach and Authentique's take on beachy colors is perfect.

This month I made a photo tray as well as a card and a layout. The layout features pictures of my husband and I in Costa Rica last year.

You can read the supply list and see some more pictures over on the Pages From the Heart blog. You can also see these projects in person at the store in Monrovia.

Thanks for reading!

XOXO,
Becky

A Beach Day Photo Tray You Say?

This is my week over on the Pages From the Heart blog. I made three projects using the Authentique "Fresh" collection. It's a beach-themed collection but the colors work for just about any event!

 

My grandma comes to visit every summer and the one thing she always wants to do is dip her feet in the ocean. I wanted a special way to display these pictures and photo trays are a great means for that.

You can read more about this project as well as see the supply list over on the Pages From the Heart blog. I will also be teaching this as a class on August 23rd at Pages! Thanks for reading!

XOXO,
Becky

Going My Own Way...to Scrap it with a Song!

This week I am off to cheer camp! As you read this, I am probably in the hot sun listening to hundreds of teenage girls cheer their hearts out. Oh boy!

My BFF and I met as cheerleaders 15 years ago. Now we are back as coaches!

Now that I am on the Scrap it with a Song Design Team, I will be participating in two challenges a month. The first challenge for this month is the Fleetwood Mac classic, "Go Your Own Way."

I very rarely scrap pictures of myself but thought this would be the perfect opportunity to do so. I took out my SMASH book and got busy!

You can see the other entries and even give it a try yourself on the SIWAS blog. Thanks for reading!

XOXO,
Becky

I'm a Pop Gal!

So excited to announce that I'm now a Pop Gal over at Scrap it with a Song! If you haven't check it out yet, SIWAS is a challenge blog based on music. I was a guest designer last month and I am thrilled to be joining the design team for the next few months.



I'll be back tomorrow with my first layout for the latest Scrap it with a Song challenge. Now excuse me while I go do my happy dance.

XOXO,
Becky

My All-American Girl

This month I am so excited to be a guest designer for Scrap it With a Song! SIWAS is a challenge blog that uses song titles as the challenge themes.

My first challenge was the song "American Girl" by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers.

In 1999, my mom became a citizen. My mom is the most patriotic person you will ever meet. Her love for this country is limitless. So there are no words to describe how big of a moment this was for her. Being a single mom, it took her a very long time to save money for the fees and study for the test. On the big day of her swearing in, my grandparents and I went with her to the LA Convention Center to watch her take her oath. We only have one picture from that day and it's been on the fridge for over 10 years. It was about time it found a more permanent place, worthy of it's importance.

I used the new "Glory" collection by Authentique. The muted colors are a beautiful contrast to what you normally get in a patriotic line.

Check out the Scrap it With a Song blog to see the Design Team's take on this song, check out the other challenges for this month, and even give one a try! Maybe you will be chosen to be next month's guest designer!

Thanks for reading! And mom, I am so proud of you.

XOXO,