Monday Update

Well it's Monday evening again... so that means that I've just finished my layout for ScrapGoods Crop Til You Drop contest. This week we are 15 and only 10 will move on to the next round. I've got my fingers crossed! :)

This week the challenge was to make a layout that included "love is," paint, and a heart. I found this picture of A~ when she was one and thought it would be perfect! If that isn't love, don't know what is!

This past weekend we had some big thunderstorms roll through and drop almost 2 inches of rain in about 2 hours. During the storm, A~ and I had some "television-free" time and decided to make tissue paper flowers. Now, mind you, I haven't made this since some time in elementary school... so I wasn't sure how they'd turn out. After folding the paper, I cut the ends into points to make it more shapely. Actually I think this is the best tissue paper flower I've ever created! A~ was impressed with my skills too! Of course, one would hope that I'd do a better job now that when I was say nine or so... but nonetheless I was impressed! Now we have 2 gorgeous, handmade tissue paper flowers adorning our house. ;-)

much love,

erin

Hot Off of the Presses!

First up, my layout for ScrapGoods' Crop Til You Drop Contest. This week's challenge was to use no adhesive at all in creating our layout. I used papers from Pink Paislee and Sassafrass Lass. The orange die cut paper is one I've been holding onto just waiting for the right project! To hold everything in place I used a combination of eyelets, brads, buttons, and photo anchors. I also machine stitched one piece and hand stitched along the design of the journaling block. The title is stamped with some of the Sandylion stamps from Kelly P. and accented with handwriting and doodling. I'm really happy with how it turned out! The photos are from May when our cherry tree was blown down in a storm. A~ always loved the cherries from that tree.... even though they weren't really that tasty. She was excited to be able to reach the fruit... as you can see in the photo, but sad to discover that the tree was not going to make it and that this year was the last crop for us.

Second up is a four generation photo we took in Houston on Mamasan's back patio. I used it for a scraplift challenge with some of the Cordinations cardstock... it has a color-coordinated core that you can see when you tear or distress it. I distressed the edges of the paper and used a ScrapGoods template for the corner design. The vinyl rubons from Scrap Works and ribbon came in the kit. I just had to add the Making Memories journaling stickers and the rubons for the title. Simple and elegant!

Wish me luck in making it through this weeks vote!

much love,

erin

All Wet & Goin' Bananas!

Just a quick update here! I wanted to share two of A~'s new faves....


First up are these chocolate-covered, frozen bananas from Trader Joe's. Just bought them and, yep... you guessed it... that is an empty box! Yummy... and pretty healthy too! We'll keep that part a secret! ;-)





...and the fountain at Fairfax Corner. She's visited it a couple of times now and has gotten quite brave. She still won't get right into the middle of it.. but she is edging closer and closer. Luckily, this time we were prepared and brought a towel and a change of clothes for her. They planned it well over there... there is a Potbelly's and Ben & Jerry's right behind the fountain. Without those, pulling the kiddies out of the fountain would be difficult at best!








much love,
erin

Mystery Visitor

I just love the Phlox plants I have out in front. They just get prettier each year! All kinds of bugs and butterflies love to visit them too. Today we got a new visitor... but I don't know what he was. He zipped around and left several times, only to circle right back. I tried to get a picture... but he's a little blurry. Sorry! (FYI-He's at the bottom of the upper white flower... his wings point right into the spaces in the pink flower.) His head is green and his wings were so fast that they might as well have been clear. His tail was red faded into black and kind of reminded me of a lobster tail (crazy, I know). When I zoom in I can see antennae... so no hummingbird. This was the only shot I got as he kept circling behind the flower. So... if you know what it is, please let me know!

much love,

erin

Crop til you Drop Contest

I'm participating in the Crop til you Drop contest on the ScrapGoods web-board and wanted to share the first two entries. Thursday we get the challenge and it's due by Monday at midnight. Each week we have voting to see who moves one until we get to the top three. We'll see how many weeks I make it!

The first layout required at least 2 patterned papers, bling brads, flower and punches used creatively. We could add anythinge else, but had to include the minimum. I used 4 Basic Grey papers from the Sultry line. Bling brads for the flower center and to accent the flower. I used 2 sized of corners punches with the guards off to make the alternating scallop border. I also used a tag punch and folded the tags to make "petals" for my flower.

The second layout had limited supplies: only 2 patterned papers, 1 sheet of cardstock, pictures, a journaling block, and unlimited ribbon and/or fiber. We couldn't add to this list... no doodling, inking, stickers, or anything. I decided to cut my pictures into the title and made a flower from wide ribbon. I used 2 Basic Grey papers again... this time from the Recess line, and a journaling paper from Making Memories... just love those little notebooks!

Thanks for looking and wish me luck!

erin

Things that make me happy...

I am probably one of the most difficult people on the face of the earth to shop for. My poor family has to struggle to pick out something that they hope I will like. It is not an easy task. I'm quite picky! :) I try to keep a running list of things I'd like to buy, but haven't yet bought myself, so that if people need an idea, I have some ready and waiting!

This year everyone outdid themselves. Everything they picked was a winner!

First Dad picked out this rotating composter (SO cool)! It was a bit of a struggle to assemble, not to mention get out the door... made me wonder how big is the full sized composter! Luckily I did have a little helper to hand me the washers and nuts on command. She did a great job! That's her inside. She held the nuts still while I worked on tightening the bolts for all the seams. As you can see... I can compost a small child in this thing. Now I need to find enough stuff to fill it up and get it working!

Then, the ladies at work got me, among other things, this uber-cool apron that I've been eyeing for almost 2 years. It's so retro and fun... and I make a big mess when I bake - so an apron really is a necessesity. It's by Jessie Steele and can be found on the Gourmand Apron Creations website under "Apron Boutique." She has some little girl-sized aprons too. Very tempting.. .and wouldn't that look cute on A~ while baking Christmas cookies? The bows are pinned on and I haven't decided if I'll put them back on after I wash it or leave it plain. I love the shaped hem and the red trim... and I think it would look just as cute without the bow accents. A~ loved taking pics of me in it after work yesterday. It's just hard to hold a good smile long enough for her to get ready and actually take the picture. I think my smile looks a little frozen here... but the apron looks good!

I would be remiss if I didn't that my freezer is packed with real Texas sausage, courtesy of Mamasan. (Thanks, Mamasan!) It's actually the second birthday in a row that I've received this treat. Lucky me! Unfortunately everyone here (Sergio and A~) likes the sausage too... so I am obligated to share. Bummer!

Thanks for everything!

much love,

erin

Happy 4th of July!

This year we joined friends as Lake Fairfax park for some 4th of July fun. The weather wasn't ideal with off and on showers... but we still had an enjoyable time. The kids all ran around inside our new (and somewhat giant) tent like maniacs. If we had tried to restrain them to a particular area, I'm sure that they would've balked... but since they choose to run inside, they were as happy as clams! We did the obligatory hot dogs, fireworks and sparklers before walking over to the lake to view the fireworks show. While we waited for everything to start, we noticed several bats darting around over the lake, doing a little hunting and keeping the bugs running. At one point, one actually grazed my shoulder. At least that happened before I realized that bats were around... so it was cool instead of freaky! After the fireworks display, we toasted some mashmallows, the kids crashed and we hung out by the campfire. All in all it was a successful venture. Next time we'll bring more blankets, as it was pretty chilly in the rain overnight... which really affected our sleep with A~ kicking off our only blanket repeatedly!

When we got home today, I headed straight for bed with the intention of getting up when the pot of coffee was done. Some three hours later I finally came to, at which point A~ showed me the new "Keep Out" sign she made for her bedroom door. It's a little hard to see... but the two faces are her "angry faces" and the middle figure is A~ with a sad face. Also prominent is the word "NO." Apparently I hurt somebody's feelings when I said they would have to wait to get their new pink camping chair out of the car! Oh well... I guess her first real guilt trip had to come at some point! Lol!

much love,

erin