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 . . .)

.

.

.

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!

 

 

{0 to 4 In The Blink Of An Eye}

Today is my girl's 4th birthday and I can't help but reflect upon these last four years . . . how amazing they've been . . . how fast it has gone. 

From my first ever PINK layout!

Oh I love this girl so much! 

xxx

{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!

 

{I Adore You}

I need to even up the score a bit and scrapbook a few more layouts for my boy! Using lots of Greatest View goodies, this is about the most "boyish" layout I've done to date!

Oh how could you not adore those dimples? He is seriously so cute - I'm finding him irresistable at the moment! 

Oh - there's those Lily Bee letter stickers again!

And thanks Kim for the wonderful idea of creating butterfly trails by simple piercing holes through all the layers!

Thanks for looking!

 

{So Proud Of You}

Oh boy, it was a hard day for this Mummy recently when Amelia started at Kindy! She was happy to be there and happy for me to leave her. It was such a relief but I just made it to the car before the tears flowed.

I really was so proud of her, embracing this new phase. The perfect excuse to break out my new Crate Paper Paper Heart papers that have been calling my name hehe!

Love the gentle layering of the papers "banner style". And say hello to my other new favourite things - Lily Bee tiny alphabet stickers.

A few weeks on I'm happy to report that she's still loving kindy and I'm kind of getting used to our new normal.

Thanks for visiting!

{Explore The Shore: Elle's Studio}

I was so excited when Elle from Elle's Studio asked me to contribute a project to their Make It Sunday series on their blog. My post went live this past week - here it is and I think there's still time to enter the giveaway where you can win the products I used on my layout.

These photos were taken just before Christmas, quite early on a summer's morning. It was a beautiful day. 

I just loved watching Amelia sort through the rocks and tiny shells, adding certain ones to her collection. I used to do the exact same thing when I was younger . . . in fact probably at the same place.

Go check out the post on the Elle's Studio blog - I did actually record this story - it's hidden on a large journaling tag behind the layout! 

{One Little Word 2012}

I decided on my one little word for this year a while ago, but only just completed a layout dedicated to it. My word is balance. 

Scrapbooked with the Paper Heart range from Crate Paper (love it!) and a couple of extra embellishments thrown in.

And a quick photo of myself taken with my phone . . . must get in the photos more this year! Can you spy a couple of goodies from Greatest View?

Ah. It felt good to scrapbook again. I've two more layouts planned and on my desk to complete. It's all about balancing my time!

{2011 In Review}

2011

Most exciting: Amelia's first plane trip (with Grandma) to visit her cousin Kasi in Gladstone.

Happiest: Our baby boy's arrival in July.

Most magical: The anticipation and excitement of Amelia in the lead-up to Christmas.

Scariest: Falling down the stairs at 9 months pregnant and calling an ambulance.

Most fun: Our many trips to Australia Zoo! Love our annual passes.

Proudest: Amelia adjusting so well to having a baby brother. She adores him and has never once been jealous or resentful! So proud of my girl!

I used the Piccadilly line from Basic Grey for this layout. I will add more detailed journaling on the back.

Mmm. See that fabric rosette there? A little something I'm working on for the Etsy shop.

I love looking back at layouts like this!

Have a happy new year everyone! See you in 2012!