After All These Years

{Awesome Simple Stories}

I have another project on the Simple Stories blog today! I challenged myself to use only the Awesome range, which is their grungy, boyish range. 

It really is super easy to scrap with these collections as there are so many elements to choose from! I've only added a couple of extra bits for dimension such as a chevron button, calico yo-yo and twine.

And I also added a small kraft chevron bag (these are new and will be in the sale on June 1st) and tucked my journaling in. Here's a peek:

Amelia was watching as I did the journaling and wanted to help. I gave her a piece of cardstock and told her to draw a picture of Noah and then she "wrote" I love Noah! How cute is this to add into that pocket? I love my girl!

I actually took a photo of this layout before I added a lot of elements to show how easy it is to use Simple Stories. Head on over to the Simple Stories blog to check out the full post!

I hope everyone's having a great weekend!

 

{Just Smile}

I'm soooo late posting this but over on the Simple Stories blog, we've had our first design team challenge! Our challenge was to show different ways to use the Elements. One of my very favourite items from Simple Stories are their 6x6 paper pads as the elements are shrunk down and are perfect embellishment sizes!

For these photos of my beautiful girl, I've created a layered banner across the bottom with elements cut from those paper pads.

Thanks to Lou Nelson who inspired me to 'freestyle' the wire across the banner!

This was one of those layouts where after I had layed everything where I wanted it, I snapped a photo with my phone so I could adhere everything in its right place! Lol!

See more ideas for using Simple Stories elements here.

{Blogging At Simple Stories}

My first blog post is live on the Simple Stories blog! Head on over to take a look! I mentioned in my last post that I've caught up on my gratitude layouts and that is what my post is about. 

February's journaling is tucked behind the patterned paper, with a little tab there to pull it out. I simply hand journaling on white cardstock.

Gratitude February 2012

1. Kindy. Amelia is honestly blossoming and developing so much due to kindy.

2. Artwork. I love getting artwork home from kindy that makes me smile!

3. Photos. More specifically getting professional photos of the kids.

4. Family outings. They are wonderful - especially where everyone pitches in to help wrangle the kids!

5. New babies. Welcome baby Maya to the family.

6. Noah's new independence. Crawling = happier baby!

In the March layout, I used a Simple Stories pocket and tucked a few journaling cards in.

Gratitude March 2012

1. Easter chocolate. Enough said.

2. Noah's beautiful nature. Even tough Daddy can't resist!

3. A new toyroom

4. My gorgeous girl. She turned 4 and I can't believe it! Love her so much!

5. Nutellex. To make any recipe dairy free.

6. Happy mail on days where you seem to need it most.

7. Friends with kids the same age as mine (or close . . .)

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I love this project. It's perfect for me right now so I don't lose track of the important things, and how lucky I am!

Thanks for looking!

 

 

{My Tiny Boy}

Well, he was tiny for about a week before he GREW and GREW and GREW so fast! 

This was one of my submission layouts for Simple Stories. And it was one of those layouts that just came together easily and I absolutely love it!

Calico flowers are perfect for boy's layouts (in my humble opinion). 

These word strips were actually cut from bingo card patterned paper. Love it.

And another little cluster in the top corner.

And with this Noah now has four layouts to call his own! Poor second child!

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Thank you all so much for all you enthusiasm and comments regarding my exciting design team news! 

{6" x 12" Layouts}

Some time ago, I purchased some 6" x 12" page protectors by Becky Higgins Project Life. 

I really didn't have a plan for what I was going to do with them. They just made their own way into my shopping cart hehe!

I had a bit of an ah-ha moment last weekend at the Brisbane Paper Arts show. I came across these papers from Simple Stories. Simply cut down the centre, they are 6" x 12".

These are going to be my monthly gratitude pages and here's the first one:

I've printed the photos from my blog post in a small strip and I've handwritten the journaling on plain shipping tags that I've slipped into the kraft pocket.

You would think that layout half the size would take me half the time to complete wouldn't you? But in true Gail fashion, it took me just as long as a 12" x 12" layout! I might need some tips from my friend Leanne on scrapping with smaller sized pages.

Thanks for stopping by today!

 

{Kindness Of Strangers}

I had this layout posted on the Greatest View blog a couple of weeks ago but wanted to share a bit more of the story here.

I had a whole series of gorgeous photos of Amelia on a stunning carousel, but I chose to focus my layout and story NOT so much on the carousel but on an important lesson.

Journaling reads: "Like a moth to a flame, you were drawn to the beautiful carousel at the Great Moscos Circus. You were about to hop in when we discovered we had absolutely no cash to pay for your ride! A nice lady in front of us kindly payed for your ride, rather than disappoint you. A lesson learned - there are still kind and generous people in the world! Look at your face . . .you thoroughly enjoyed it! One day we'll get a chance to pay it forward."

The story was handwritten on an Elle's Studio journaling card and tucked into an embellished glassine bag. I added a small ribbon tab so the journaling can be lifted out easily.

I guess the second lesson we learned that day was always take cash to the circus!

Thanks for looking!

{Project 365}

Is anyone else totally overwhelmed with just how many scrapbookers/bloggers are doing Becky Higgins' Project Life in 2012? Oh my goodness, it's just taken off! 

Buuut I'm not there yet. I'm not ready to commit to this project as I just love my traditional scrapbooking so much and I think it would dramatically decrease that . . . but here's what I'm doing.

My cousin told me about a free iPhone app called Project 365. I can snap one photo a day on my phone and add it to my calendar along with any thoughts. Easy. No fancy photography. An iphone photo. 

I'm using an Instagram photo as I like the ease of those effects. Here is my first five days in 2012:

Noah is big enough for the highchair now; waterslide fun in the backyard; catching up with friends & babytalk; facing the music after Christmas indulgences; bit of renovating.

I have no idea what I'll do with the photos yet. I just want them captured in my phone. I am going to continue with my gratitude lists monthly (perhaps a mini album for those) and I am considering the 2012 Take Twelve Challenge from Ella Publishing.

There are so many inspiring options to capture your life but the most important thing is to just capture it. 

{Mini Banners}

Want to win some of my new Greatest View goodies? Leave a comment on this post on Ucreate to go in the draw!

My Etsy shop is all stocked up . . . one of my favourite products is the mini banner! Take a look at the variety of banners I've created:

 
To kick start your creativity, I've been looking for fun ideas using mini bunting! Here's some inspiration:

 

Photo from here

How cool is this cake?? Not that I can do the whole fondant thing but I can picture mini bunting strung across any sort of cake! Can't wait to try this!

 

Photo from here.

Mini bunting could be used throughout your home too - draped over frames, boards, shelves etc.

 
Photo from here.

Although this bunting is stitched onto the cushion, I think this will make an adorable background or feature on a scrapbook layout or card! I just love the way it swirls around.

Some other ideas for you:

• My mini banners are small (obviously) but there would still be room if you wanted to add letters or other embellishments to each flag.
• There's also a little room in between each flag if you wanted to pop a button, gem or tie ribbon/twine.
• If you're stringing the banner across your layout or card, try cutting a tiny notch in the sides of the cardstock where the twine will sit so it stays in place.

I'd love to hear any ideas you have using my mini bunting!