Life on Lee Avenue

Layout: Dear Mom

For this month's Simple Scrapper template, I decided to pay tribute to my mom. Unfortunately, it seems that I always have more ideas than completed pages when it comes to my mom. But I am happy to say, I'm working on it, thanks to Jennifer S Wilson's well balanced design!. Here is a look at my full page: 

Journaling:

Since becoming a mother, I am beginning to realize and appreciate all that you have done and continue to do for Rachel and I. Thank you for being our cheerleader, cook and chauffeur. Thank you for your patience and open heart. Most of all thank you, for being you.

Supplies Used: 

InLinkz.com

The journaling was inspired by words that I wrote to my mom in her Mother's Day card. This isn't your typical Mother's Day layout. The colour scheme of orange, yellow, brown and green almost remind me of Thanksgiving. Regardless, I am pleased with the result. 

Want more information about the Simple Scrapper Preminum Membership? Check out the website here. 

Thanks for looking!

Happy Monday!

Layout: Safe and Sound

Template: Simple Scrapper's Premium Membership

For the May assignment at Simple Scrapper, design team members where asked to use a template along with music lyrics as part of a layout. Having been obsessed with all things related to The Hunger Games, I decided to use the official theme song, Safe and Sound sung by Taylor Swift and the Civil Wars as the title for a layout about Aaron being a Daddy. Here is a look at the 8.5 x 11 hybrid page I made: 

Journaling: 

Rowan-girl, your Daddy amazes me with each passing day. He changes your diapers, dresses you and dries your eyes when you cry. He sings to you, checks on you when you are asleep and loves you unconditionally. I love the way he loves you. I love the way he plans and protects our family. 

Supplies Used: 

InLinkz.com

I love the layout and the feeling it evokes. It also uses one of my favourite go to colour schemes: Black + White with tone-on-tone shades of blue-green. Right now I am loving Crate Paper's Storyteller line.

The Hunger Games obsessive side note: I loved the book, movie and now the song. Taylor Swift obsessive side note: She looks great in the video, very grown up! The Civil Wars obsessive side note: They recently sang live on Q and sounded fantastic.

Thanks for looking!

Happy Tuesday!

One more sleep

Cue music : It's the most wonderful time of the year.

Okay so it's not Christmas, but it might as well be around my house. It's the time of year where my lovely sister-in-law and I make our annual trek to Stratford, Ontario for our weekend crop.  This year is extra special because we both have babies under the age of 6 months and missed the last retreat due to their impending births. Really, I don't know what I am more excited for: two full days of scrapbooking or the possibility of two nights of uninterupted sleep including naps sans bebes. I'm pretty sure it's going to be that good....I have been counting down "the sleeps" until we leave.  

Tomorrow can't come soon enough!

Happy Thursday!

Simple Scrapper: April Page

When I think about my motivation for scrapbooking, I am typically driven to create a page that highlights my story. It seems that in today's scrapbooking landscape you either consider yourself a story based scrapper or not. You either scrapbook meaningful life stories or simply create a page because it looks nice. As a scrapbooker, I feel as though you have to choose sides. My question is: Why can't we all just get along? Can't we do a bit of both? Can't we tell some of our stories and make cute pages?

Take, for example, my latest layout for Simple Scrapper's April templates. It's pretty stinkin' cute and tells a little of Rowan-girl's story: 

Template: Simple Scrapper Premium Membership Sketch 

Patterned papers: 
Crate Paper: Wild berries 
Basic Grey: Wisteria, Jardin 
American Crafts: A Wrinkle in Time 

Embellishments: 
Butterfly: The Gilded Bee Paperie 
Hearts: Amy Tangerine, Remarks, All Together 
Labels: Martha Stewart and Avery File Folder Labels 

Letters: 
Studio Calico: White on Kraft Alpha 
Studio Calico: Wood Veneer 

Based on this blog post.

Whether you story scrap or don't story scrap, the bottom line is, you should just go and scrap! 

Happy Wednesday :)

Simple Scrapper: March Pages

It's no secret, I love to journal. At any given time, I often am ripe with thoughts and feelings - just ask Aaron! Ha! However, there are times when I can't find the words to express myself.  During times like these I often look to others for inspiration. Why re-invent the wheel when I can "borrow" someone else's words right?

Take for example the page below for Simple Scrapper's March Template. Inspired by Robert Munsch, a Canadian children's author, I used a famous line from his book "Love you forever" as my journaling. It was the exact sentiment I wanted to use on a page for a photo of Rowan and me. Combine it with Jennifer's awesome March Template and viola: 

"It's a mama thing"

Template: Simple Scrapper Premium Membership

Cardstock: White: Recollections

Pattern Paper: Basic Grey, Picadilly; SEI Kris Kringle; Basic Grey, Out of Print

Brads: Recollections

Letters: American Crafts Naturals for Studio Calico

Journaling: I'll love you forever; as long as I'm living, my baby you'll be.

I love this line. It makes me cry. Every single time I read the book!

Supplies Used: 

InLinkz.com

Happy Tuesday!

Simple Scrapper: February Pages

I am so excited to announce that I am continuing on with the Simple Scrapper Design Team! With Rowan's birth in November, it's been a while since I showed you any of my layouts. So below are three pages I created for Simple Scrapper over the past few months:

"Your Nicknames"

Template: Simple Scrapper's Premium Membership

Cardstock: White, Recollections

Letters: Pink Chipboard, Basic Grey; Black, American Crafts; Grey, Amy Tangerine, American Crafts

Hearts: Remarks, American Crafts

"The Red Centre"

Template: Simple Scrapper Premium Membership

Cardstock: Brown, Bazzill 
Letters: Pryus, Basic Grey; Marquise, American Crafts 
Embellishements: Muse Tokens, Tim Holtz; Just the Edge Cardstock Strips, Bazzill 
Stickers: Traveller, 7 Gypsies 

Journaling: 

The third part of our Australia trip included three days in Yulura. We spent this time feeling like we stepped into another world. We hiked around Ayer’s Rock and through the Olgas and King’s Canyon. The soil was deep and rich in colour as was the land in terms of its history. Perhaps our favourite part of the trip was visiting Urulu’s cultural centre and reading letters from the “sorry book”. Apparently, there have been a large number of tourists who took pieces of Ayer’s Rock home and then experienced bad luck. These people then returned pieces of the Rock to the Aborginal tribe who live on the land. Not wanting to temp our good fortune, Aaron and I only touched Ayer’s Rock to make a wish. June 2011

"The Journey"

Template: Simple Scrapper's Premium Membership 
Cardstock: White, Bazzill 
Pattern Paper: Paper Reverie Noir, Making Memories; Amy Tangerine, Oh Happy Grey, American Crafts 
Letters: Doll, Thickers, American Crafts; Yellow Tiny Type, Cosmo Cricket 
Stickers: Craft embellishments, Sassafras for Studio Calico 
Type: Arial 

Journaling: 

Now that I am 39 weeks pregnant and about to give birth, I am so very thankful. I am thankful that Aaron, my family, friends and coworkers were supportive. I am thankful that I embraced and enjoyed my changing body. I am thankful that I felt so good. Looking back, I can see from these photos how I am transitioning towards motherhood. During my second trimester, I felt the baby move daily. Strangers started asking me when I was due. I started nesting and organized the closets in our house like a crazy person. I began thinking about what life with a child would be like. Although I don't know what the next part of the journey will bring, I am excited for my future family life. 

Interested in the Premium Membership with Simple Scrapper? You can go here to learn more information. 

Happy Tuesday!

Single Page Layouts

As I have mentioned many times before, I am knee deep in puttering, getting the house ready for Baby H. I am now 35 weeks and counting...yikes! I was organizing my scrap supplies + albums, I came across these layouts that haven't made it to the blog. So, without further adue, here are a few single page layouts I've created over the last few months: 

1. Just a girl who likes to scrapbook (& run & read & blog & drink coffee)

Pattern Paper: Pretty Fabric, Lily Bee

Cardstock: White, American Crafts

Letter: Nutmeg, Thickers, American Crafts

Embellishments: Chipboard Starts, Jenni Bowlin 

2. Snap & Scrap

Pattern Paper: Ginger + Chaplin, 1934, Cosmo Cricket

Cardstock: Red + Sandpaper, Bazzill

Embellishments: Rhinestones, Kaisiercraft

Journaling: I can't believe I am teaching a photography course at The Workshop! October 2011

3. A Good Sport

Pattern Paper: Thirt Shop, October Afternoon

Cardstock: White, American Crafts

Letters: Subway, Thickers, American Crafts

Buttons: Fine and Dandy, My Mind's Eye

Ribbon: Gaffer Tape, 7 gypsies

Journaling: 

Mom always said Dad was “a good sport” to come home from work and play with Rachel and me. Whether we played board games, threw a baseball outside or took us for a treat at the store on Saturday mornings, I felt so important to have Dad’s time and attention. And now that I am expecting a child of my own, I can’t wait to see what kind of grandpa he’ll become. Love you. May 2011

Thanks for looking!

Happy Tuesday!

Simple Scrapper September Pages

I was flipping through my albums last night and I realized that how much I love the unique and distinctive pages designed by Jennifer at Simple Scrapper.  Here are two layouts I created for SS's September Pages. 

Killarney 2010

Cardstock: White + Kraft - American Crafts 
Pattern Paper: Crate Paper SCCP Collection Studio C 
Letters: Chipboard Alphas Studio Calico 
Embellishments: Shipping Tag – Staples; Crate Paper – Eclectic Buttons 

Journaling: The August camping club toured around Killarney Provincial Park for the first time in twenty ten. Instead of canoeing Alqo nguin, the 7 of us enjoyed the wildlife, rapids and pristine views. Fantastic weather, great meals and clear waters make me want to go back soon. Nothing like spending 4 days with high school friends

M

Cardstock: Pink – Bazzill; Kraft + White Cardstock – American Crafts 
Patterned Paper: Spring Time, Echo Park 
Embellishments: Scalloped Edges + Sticker Words - Jillibean Soup – Blossom Soup Pea Pod Parts
Journal Spot: Creative Imaginations 
Buttons – Flair, American Craft 

Journaling: 
I know in a couple of months life is going to change. You will have a new cousin and baby brother. You are also starting kindergarten. Just remember, Sweet Micki, to be yourself and do your best. Uncle Aaron and I love you very much and we always will – no matter what! Auntie Jess August 30 2011

Thanks for looking!

Happy Wednesday!

On being a scrapbookin' mama

This weekend, Aaron and I attended two full days of prenatal classes. It was chalked full of useful information on pain control in labour, breastfeeding and how to change a diaper. Although we have a million things to do around the house, the two day intensive course was amazing! 

The most useful excercise occurred when our lovely teacher, Cathie, broke up the partners and asked what day 5 would look like with a newborn. Both groups had to come up with the list of activities in our day and the two biggest adjustments that we would have to make. In addition to generally feeling overwhelmed, the soon-to-be fathers top concerns were related to increased financial demands and decreased personal time, while the soon-to-be mamas top concerns were loss of sleep and loss of identity. 

Perhaps the best thing about our prenatal classes is that I realized that everyone is in the same position.  I am not the only one having these thoughts. It's true - I worry about losing my sense of self after delievering Baby H. I think, will I ever be able to scrapbook/run/shower/go for a walk by myself, ever again? 

The coolest thing was when Cathie encouraged the soon-to-be mamas to do something they use to do before coming a mother, like scrapbook. It was at that point, I wanted Cathie to move it with us. All joking aside, I must remember that in those dark and sleepless nights,  even if I am  just taking pictures of my newborn, I am scrapbooking. I must remember that "to scrapbook" means alot of things. 

I am no expert when it comes to parenting. I am sure I will lose the "mother of the year award" many times on January 1st. If you would like to read more my ideas on changing our scrapbooking expectations as new mothers, check out my guest post today at Simple Scrapper.

For all the new scrapbooking mama's out there, how to you balance taking care of a newborn and scrapbooking?

Simple Scrapper August Pages + Projects

It's been a while since I've featured some of my work for Simple Scrapper. Today I am happy to show you what I've been working on for the August collection. 

The Beach |

Template:  Simple Scrapper’s August Simple Pages 
Cardstock: Kraft, American Crafts; Cream, 7gypsies 
Pattern Paper: Love Potion, Pink Paisless; Broch, Lily Bee 
Embellishments: Memory Keys, Tim Holtz Idealogy 
Letters: Marquee, American Crafts Thickers 

What I love about this month's templates are that you can easily use your  Instagram photos. I have taken nothing but these types of photos over the last week or two, so I am happy to find a creative layout to use them! Thanks Jennifer for fuelling my addiction! 

Hello Sweet Baby Birthday Cards |

                       

                        

Template: Simple Scrapper’s Simple Project 
Stamp: Ali Edwards Simple Celebrations Baby Elements 

Green Card: 
Cardstock: Kraft, Recollections 
Pattern Paper: Woodlands, Studio Calico 
Embellishment: Small Details, Basic Grey 

Pink Card: 
Cardstock: Kraft + White, Recollections; Pink, Bazzill 
Pattern Paper: Cotton Candy, Lily Bee 
Embellishment: Pink Bling, Kaiser Craft 

Blue Card: 
Cardstock: Kraft + White, Recollections 
Pattern Paper: Blue, SEI; Passing Notes, Hopstock, Basic Grey; Ji 
Embellishments: Blue Bling, Fine and Dandy, My Mind’s Eye 
Punch: Heart, Martha Stewart

Uhm....can you tell I have baby on the brain? Although I don't consider myself a card person, when I actually get the chance to make one.....or three, I really enjoyed the process. Plus I used up a lot of my lovely scraps that I couldn't bare to through out. Since I have a ton of friends pregnant right now, these will come in handy in the future. 

Check out the Simple Scrapper shop for more information on how to download these and other templates.

Happy Monday!