family first

I may have been gone but dear blog, you are not forgotten.

Some of my priorities changed except the one always in the top: my family.  Crafting and scrapbooking have fallen by the wayside.  I still enjoy them, so I will do when I can do.  Recently, here's what I did:

We celebrated E's birthday at one of his favorite restaurants that has a great seafood buffet.  E has a sophisticated palate for a kid his age.  I wonder if he will become a chef or a food critic.  Time will tell..... but I hope it doesn't go too fast.

(The scrapbook design is by Teresa Collins)

summer still happening

I am embracing these last summer days with my kids, even though school time is around the corner and I'm doing the back to school shopping.  Last month was filled with a trip to Cali, swim lessons, a wine/book exchange night, a birthday party, a day at the beach, get together with old friends, night at Ravinia, mini golf, and visits to frozen yogurt & ice cream shops. And although my kids would prefer to bum around the house or play at the nearby park (which they have had plenty days of), I have a few more activities planned with them.

The problem is my desire to photo document everything.  I realize I need to be more selective in the pictures I take and keep, because I do tend to get snap happy.

This is a mini book of our trip to our friends' lake house back in June.  Always a good time there.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I used one of the many Amy Tangerine daybooks I have (love them!).

 

 

Well, we are off to the Aquarium today!



Hello Summer

I love the month of June: the start of summer: swim lessons, lazy days, playing at the park, reading on the porch, a trip to our friends' lake house.  The following summer months always fly by so I have some planning to do this weekend. Have to come up with activities with the kids to make this summer a blast!

Truthfully, I'm also biased about June since it's my birthday month :) To document this year of my life, I'm using a small Recollections binder.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Maybe next year I will try Project Life but for now this type of scrapbook binder/album works for me.

this & that

We've had many celebrations this month: Mother's Day, my parent's wedding anniversary, my mom's 70th birthday, and recently our wedding anniversary (which the hubby and I almost forgot with so many things going on and guests to entertain).  I did manage to whip up a card for him before the day was over.

I used a paper page from Maggie Holmes' 6x6 paper pad.  Such a pretty collection by Crate Paper; and the bows... oh my, so cute!  I'm also currently adoring polka dots.  These are by Echo Park Paper Co.

The Archiver's store nearby is closing :( so I got a little carried away and bought more goodies.  And because I need to use my supplies (instead of hoarding them) and to get out of my creative rut, I purchased Wilna's art class workshop.  I really admire her style and can't wait to start. 

Maybe M will join me.  She hearts art too.

In My Heart

Even through the ups and downs, the highs and lows, the joys and sorrows of motherhood, I wouldn't change this experience for anything.

makes me happy

Woo hoo! I get excited when I finish a scrapbook page. It helps when I am given a challenge and, of course, inspiration. That's why I love Dear Lizzy's Paper Party blog where four talented designers share their creative techniques.

For this scrapbook page, I used the mask/paint technique Lizzy shared.  Since I didn't have a mask already, I used the heart die cut card from her Lucky Charm line.  The white hearts remind me of cabbage white butterflies which remind me of a poem I had to memorize in school; but I digress...

I was also going to use the "you make my heart sing" card as a mask but I liked the color of the card after misting it so I kept it.  It looks like sunset colors; I love ombré.

But I'll definitely use this for another page.

Happy first weekend of May!

spring birthday

My baby girl is now ten! Every time I look at her I simply adore her; and at the same time, there is this twinge of sadness as I notice how taller she's gotten, how more mature she is acting, how fast she is growing.  I can only continue to enjoy our times spent each day together... and spoil her sweet... just a little bit... but especially so on her birthday.

inspiration from Pinterest

some of her presents ( you would think it was Christmas...)

This year, my son bought M a present with his own money. I love his thoughtfulness and the note he wrote for her.  I simply added embellishments.  M is saving that portion of wrapping paper to add to her scrapbook.

Now to finish some small projects for her bowling party this weekend!